The majority of in vitro macrophage activation exhibited by extracts of some immune enhancing botanicals is due to bacterial lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides

Abstract

We have identified potent monocyte/macrophage activating bacterial lipoproteins within commonly used immune enhancing botanicals such as Echinacea, American ginseng and alfalfa sprouts. These bacterial lipoproteins, along with lipopolysaccharides, were substantially more potent than other bacterially derived components when tested in in vitro monocyte/macrophage activation systems. In experiments using RAW 264.7 and mouse peritoneal macrophages the majority (85-98%) of the activity within extracts from eight immune enhancing botanicals was eradicated by treatment with agents (lipoprotein lipase and polymyxin B) known to target these two bacterial components. Alfalfa sprouts exhibited the highest activity of those botanicals tested but the appearance of this activity during the germination of surface sterilized seeds was abolished by the presence of antibiotics. These studies indicate that the majority of the in vitro macrophage activating properties in extracts from these botanicals can be attributed to the presence of lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides derived from bacteria and that bacterial endophytes may be a significant source of these components.

Characterization and pharmacological properties of in vitro propagated clones of Echinacea tennesseensis (Beadle) Small

“…It is known that different extraction procedures influence the concentration and type of compounds present in the fraction to be tested, thus affecting the medicinal properties. The extracts tested in this study contained bacterial lipopolysaccharides and lipoproteins as previously reported by Pugh et al (2008) and Tamta et al (2008). Furthermore, these studies demonstrated that these bacterial products derived from endophytes.…”

“…Using a different extraction procedure, Pugh et al (2008) reported that the majority of in vitro monocyte/ macrophage activation exhibited by Echinacea plant material was due to bacterial lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) present in the extract. According to Tamta et al (2008) variations in the amount of these bacterial products were responsible for the 200-fold difference in the activity of commercially diverse bulk Echinacea material.…”

Phenotypic and functional analysis of the modification of murine bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) induced by neutral Ginseng polysaccharides (NGP)

“…1,[20][21][22] The data of their findings indicated that NGP could upregulate the functions of cells in both innate immune and adaptive immune systems. These included: significantly increasing phagocytosis as well as production of cytokines of macrophage, 3 improving B lymphocyte proliferation induced by LPS, enhancing the activity of monocyte by upregulating the expression of HLA-DR and other application for various cases clinically.…”

<i>In Vitro</i> Propagation and Conservation of <i>Zeyheriamontana</i> Mart: An Endangered Medicinal Plant

“…Strobel et al [19] described paclitaxel being synthesized by Taxus sp and unrelated fungal endophytes including Taxomyces andreanae, also including Pestalotia, Pestalotiopsis, Fusarium, Alternaria, Pithomyces, and Monochaetia. More recently, Pugh et al [20] reported that bacterial lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides present in immune enhancing botanicals are the actives responsible for in vitro macrophage activation. Thus, researchers working in medicinal plants and plant tissue culture will have to search for ways to co-culture the host and beneficial endophytes.…”