Plant immunostimulants—Scientific paradigm or myth?

Gertsch, Jürg; Viveros–Paredes, Juan Manuel; Taylor, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.06.044

Cited by 50 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 95 publications

(95 reference statements)

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“…The use of a medicinal botanical as a tonic usually indicates that the botanical has the ability to enhance certain immune responses (Borchers et al, 2000). In ''tonic-debate'', the generally assumed immunomodulating effect is disputable, since the placebo effect was not clinically tested (Gertsch et al, 2011). In addition, it has been considered that the idea of a ''toning agent'' of plant origin determines the ability of a given group of substances to stimulate the activity of the central nervous system, which does not necessarily involve the immune system (Bakuridze et al, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

T cell regulation byPhlomis lanataprotein extracts in mice

Karali

Georgescu

Pirintsos

et al. 2015

Pharmaceutical Biology

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Context: Phytopharmacology is a complex but very promising research area. The different plant parts and extraction methods may result in opposed effects. Phlomis species have been reported for both anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. Objective: The effect of Phlomis lanata Willd. (Lamiaceae) protein extracts on immune cell reactivity was studied in the experimental mouse model. Materials and methods: Protein extracts from P. lanata aerial parts were fractionated by Q-sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and applied to whole spleen cells or T-cell subsets at 5 mg/ml. Cell growth and cytokine production were evaluated after 4 and 2 d of culture using 3 H-thymidine-uptake and ELISA techniques, respectively. Results: Among the protein fractions tested, column wash proteins (W1) and the fraction eluted using 600 mM NaCl (F6) reduced by 76% and increased by 78% spleen cell proliferation, respectively. W1 suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells, but stimulated the growth of suppressor/regulatory cells by 62-148%. Although W1 stimulated IL-2 and IL-10 production from total spleen cells, it significantly increased IL-10 (50%) and reduced IL-2 (30-50%) production from T-cells, while TNF-a release was enhanced in CD25 + CD4 + by 92% and reduced by 50% in CD25 + CD8 + cells. F6 stimulated whole spleen cell growth, reduced proliferation of CD8 + and CD25 + cells by approximately 50%, while decreasing by 60-80% TNF-a production from CD25À and CD25 + CD8 + cells. Discussion and conclusion: The suppressive activity of W1 could be attributed to IL-10 and TNF-a, while the stimulatory effect of F6 could be attributed to the inhibition of T-regulatory cells. In the same plant, coexisting protein fractions induce both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

T cell regulation byPhlomis lanataprotein extracts in mice

Karali

Georgescu

Pirintsos

et al. 2015

Pharmaceutical Biology

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“…To simulate the effects of oral intake and evaluate the potential immunomodulatory activity of CLD, we orally administered CLD to animals for 15 days. According to Gertsch, Viveros-Paredes and Taylor (2011), the activity of the immune system can only unambiguously be evaluated in vivo, and the most ethnopharmacologically relevant way to test plant products is by oral administration. Here, we show that oral administration of a minimum of 200 mg/kg CLD produced an overall stimulatory effect on the peritoneal macrophages from mice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunostimulatory effects of Luehea divaricata Mart. & Zucc. (Malvaceae) bark

Rosa

Nardi

Januário

et al. 2014

Braz. J. Pharm. Sci.

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Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae) is a plant widely used for treatment of various inflammatory and infectious conditions; however few reports discuss its biological properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as well as the macrophage activity in mice treated with the hydroalcoholic crude extract of L. divaricata (CLD). Thin layer chromatography revealed presence of epicathequin, stigmasterol, lupeol and α,β-amyrin in the extract. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, animals were subjected to paw edema induced by carrageenan test, writhing, formalin and capsaicin tests. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by adhesion and phagocytic capacity, lysosomal volume, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by peritoneal macrophages, after daily treatment with CLD for 15 days. CLD promoted reduction in paw edema (36.8% and 50.2%; p<0.05 at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg, respectively), inhibited writhing behavior at the higher dose (64.4%, p<0.05), reduced formalin reactivity (81.2% and 91.6% at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg, respectively, p<0.05), and reduced capsaicin reactivity by 63.9% (300 mg/kg). CLD (200 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) increased phagocytosis capacity of macrophages (~3 fold, p<0.05), neutral red uptake (~50%, p<0.001), and ROS production (~90%, p<0.001). These data suggest that CLD possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunostimulatory properties. Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae) é utilizada para o tratamento de várias condições patológicas, entretanto, há poucos relatos sobre sua bioatividade. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito anti-inflamatório e analgésico, bem como a atividade de macrófagos em camundongos tratados com extrato bruto hidroalcoólico (CLD) da planta. Cromatografia em camada delgada revelou a presença de epicatequina, estigmasterol, lupeol e α,β-amirina no material. Para avaliar a atividade anti-inflamatória e analgésica, animais foram submetidos a teste de edema de pata induzido por carragenana, teste de contorções, da formalina e da capsaicina. A atividade imunomodulatória foi avaliada pela capacidade de adesão e de fagocitose dos macrófagos, volume lisossômico e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), após tratamento diário com CLD por 15 dias. CLD promoveu redução do edema de pata (36,8% e 50,2%; 100 e 300 mg/kg, respectivamente; p<0,05), redução do número de contorções (64,4%; 300 mg/kg; p<0,05), redução da reatividade no teste da formalina (81,2% e 91,6%; 100 e 300 mg/kg, respectivamente; p<0,05), e no teste da capsaicina em 63,9% (300 mg/kg). CLD (200 mg·kg Uniterms: Luehea divaricata

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“…Kanjwani et al [12] reported the cellular and humoral response activity of Piper betle L methanolic extract. Mechanisms of action of several herbal medicines as immunostimulants still unclear [13]. Some medicinal plants may stimulate the immune system whereas some others may suppress the immune response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%