Immunomodulatory properties of Alternanthera tenella Colla aqueous extracts in mice

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Abstract

Plants from the genus Alternanthera are thought to possess antimicrobial and antiviral properties. In Brazilian folk medicine, the aqueous extract of A. tenella Colla is used for its anti-inflammatory activity. The present study investigated the immunomodulatory property of A. tenella extract by evaluating the antibody production in male albino Swiss mice weighing 20-25 g (10 per group). The animals received standard laboratory diet and water ad libitum. The effect of A. tenella extract (5 and 50 mg/kg, ip) was evaluated in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC 10%, ip) as T-dependent antigen, or in mice stimulated with mitogens (10 µg, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, LPS, ip). The same doses (5 and 50 mg/kg, ip) of A. tenella extract were also tested for antitumor activity, using the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma as model. The results showed that 50 mg/kg A. tenella extract ip significantly enhanced IgM (64%) and IgG2a (50%) antibody production in mice treated with LPS mitogen. The same dose had no effect on IgM-specific response, whereas the 5 mg/kg treatment caused a statiscally significant reduction of anti-SRBC IgM-specific antibodies (82%). The aqueous extract of A. tenella (50 mg/kg) increased the life span (from 16 ± 1 to 25 ± 1 days) and decreased the number of viable tumor cells (59%) in mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. The present findings are significant for the development of alternative, inexpensive and perhaps even safer strategies for cancer treatment.

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Effect of plant flavonoids on immune and inflammatory cell function.

Laura E. Middleton (1997)

The flavonoids are a large group of naturally occurring phenylchromones found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea, and wine. Up to several hundred milligrams are consumed daily in the average Western diet. Only limited information is available on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of these compounds in man. Some compounds are absorbed, however, and measurable plasma concentrations are achieved which could have pharmacological relevance. A variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that selected flavonoids possess antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant activities. Moreover, acting by several different mechanisms, particular flavonoids can exert significant anticancer activity including anticarcinogenic properties and even a prodifferentiative activity, amongst other modes of action. Certain flavonoids possess potent inhibitory activity against a wide array of enzymes, but of particular note is their inhibitory effects on several enzyme systems intimately connected to cell activation processes such as protein kinase C, protein tyrosine kinases, phospholipase A2, and others. Evidence suggests that only activated cells are susceptible to the modulating effects of flavonoids, i.e. cells which are responding to a stimulus. The stimulated activities of numerous cell types, including mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, T & B lymphocytes, macrophages, platelets, smooth muscle, hepatocytes, and others, can be influenced by particular flavonoids. On balance, a considerable body of evidence suggests that plant flavonoids may be health-promoting, disease-preventing dietary compounds.