Immunomodulatory effects of Umakhonya®: A South African commercial traditional immune booster

Abstract

a b s t r a c tSouth Africa is currently experiencing an increase in the number of traditional medicine preparations which purport to have immune boosting effects. This is largely related to the high prevalence of HIV infections. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the possible immunomodulatory mechanisms of uMakhonya®, one of the widely used commercial immune boosters, using THP-1 monocyte cells. Endotoxin-free doses of uMakhonya® ranging from 1000 μg/mL to 10 μg/mL were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects, cell migration, secretion of twelve different chemokines and possible modulation of nuclear factor kappa Beta (NF-κβ) transcriptional activity. This commercial traditional medicine product was shown to induce dose dependent cytotoxicity with high doses significantly (p b 0.05) cytotoxic to monocytes (IC 50 of 100.08 and 107.68 μg/mL for normal and LPS stimulated THP-1 cells respectively) when compared to untreated cells. The lower doses were shown to have no significant (p N 0.05) chemo-attractant effects in the cell migration assay. UMakhonya® at these lower and less cytotoxic doses induced a significant (p b 0.05) increase in secretion of chemokines in unstimulated THP-1 cells when compared to untreated and cyclosporine treated cells. In LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells only MIP-1β secretion was significantly increased by both 100 and 10 μg/mL. In both unstimulated and LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells the lowest dose of uMakhonya® increased transcriptional activity of NF-κβ which may explain the increase in chemokines secretion. Therefore this in vitro study showed that uMakhonya® is cytotoxic at high doses, did not show any chemo-attractant effects and induced significant increases in chemokines secretion. Increased transcriptional activity of NF-κβ in treated cells may contribute to increased chemokines secretion. This study on uMakhonya® should form the benchmark for the research of the high number of related products that are sold commercially in South Africa.

Evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of a South African commercial traditional immune booster in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

“…In an earlier study, this traditional medicine was shown at non-cytotoxic doses is not a chemoattractant but is able to significantly induce chemokine secretion in LPS stimulated and unstimulated THP-1 monocytes. The increase in chemokines secretion may involve the activation of the NF-қβ signal transduction pathway [ 12 ]. We developed three different models of PBMCs representing normal replication (PHA stimulation), immunosuppression (cyclosporine-treated), and infection (PG- S. aureus stimulation) of immune cells in order to analyze uMakhonya® cytotoxicity and its effects on inflammatory cytokines, receptor levels, and nitric oxide (NO) secretion.…”

The Immune Effects of an African Traditional Energy Tonic in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

“…Transcription factors such NF- κβ and activator protein-1 (AP-1) regulate the gene expression leading to synthesis of cytokines, chemokines, growth hormones, and other signaling molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) [27]. LPS stimulation of THP-1 cells followed by treatment with doses of a multiherbal traditional medicine showed that changes in transcriptional activity of NF- κβ are linked to modulation of chemokines secretion [28]. In this study, LPS stimulation of THP-1 cells followed by treatment with doses of the energy tonic caused a dose dependent increase in NF- κβ activity with higher doses significantly increasing ( p < 0.05) transcriptional activity of NF- κβ , while the low dose did not cause any significant change.…”

Herbal Immunomodulators - A Remedial Panacea for Designing and Developing Effective Drugs and Medicines: Current Scenario and Future Prospects

“…uMakhonya R : It is one of the widely used commercial immune boosters which use THP-1 monocyte cells. This traditional commercial preparation was reported9-to induce dose-dependent cytotoxicity with high doses significantly (P<0.05) cytotoxic to monocytes (IC50 of 100.08 and 107.68 μg/mL for normal and LPS stimulated THP-1 cells respectively) comparing to untreated cells [621].…”

“…A study revealed that this product increased IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor in immunosuppressed mice. It is recommended for cleansing the blood and for diabetes, blood pressure, pneumonia, ulcers, and hemorrhoids [629]. This herbal dietary supplement is a wonderful combination of Ginger, Sambucus, and Echinacea with enhancing influence on the immune system, along with soothing effects to upper respiratory tract and stomach ailments.…”