Berberine down-regulates the Th1/Th2 cytokine gene expression ratio in mouse primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide in a preventive manner

The molecular basis of the immunomodulatory effects of natural products: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Natural products (NPs) have long been recognized for their potential to modulate the immune system, offering a natural and holistic approach to enhancing immune function. In recent years, the immunomodulation effects of various natural products have attained significant attention.

PURPOSE

This article provides an overview of the role of natural products in immunomodulation, exploring their mechanisms of action, common types of NPs with immunomodulation properties, clinical applications, as well as considerations for their safety and efficacy.

METHODS

Extensive research has been conducted to compile important discoveries on the immunomodulatory properties of NPs through thorough searches of multiple databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus up until January 2024.

RESULTS

By decreasing the levels of Th2 cytokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, the results suggested that NPs have the ability to modulate the immune system. Therefore, NPs alleviate inflammation in various disorders such as asthma and cancer. Furthermore, the observed increase in CD4 cells and IFN-ɣ/IL4 levels, along with an increased IFN-c/IL4 ratio, indicates a stimulatory effect of NPs on Th1 activity in various inflammatory conditions. Therefore, NPs regulate the immune system by inhibiting T-cells and decreasing the growth of young B-cell lymphoma cells.

CONCLUSION

Reviewing studies indicated that NPs have the potential to serve as immunomodulatory candidates for treating disorders characterized by immune dysregulation. However, additional experimental and clinical studies are necessary before these agents can be implemented in clinical settings.

Systematic Review of Chemical Compounds with Immunomodulatory Action Isolated from African Medicinal Plants

A robust, well-functioning immune system is the cornerstone of good health. Various factors may influence the immune system's effectiveness, potentially leading to immune system failure. This review aims to provide an overview of the structure and action of immunomodulators isolated from African medicinal plants. The research was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Full-text access research articles published in English up to December 2023, including plant characteristics, isolated phytochemicals, and immuno-modulatory activities, were screened. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were generated using ChemDraw® (version 12.0.1076), and convergent and distinctive signaling pathways were highlighted. These phytochemicals with demonstrated immunostimulatory activity include alkaloids (berberine, piperine, magnoflorine), polysaccharides (pectin, glucan, acemannan, CALB-4, GMP90-1), glycosides (syringin, cordifolioside, tinocordiside, aucubin), phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, vanillic acid, eupalitin), flavonoids (curcumin, centaurein, kaempferin, luteolin, guajaverin, etc.), terpenoids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, boswellic acids, corosolic acid, nimbidin, andrographolides). These discussed compounds exert their effects through various mechanisms, targeting the modulation of MAPKs, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kB. These mechanisms can support the traditional use of medicinal plants to treat immune-related diseases. The outcomes of this overview are to provoke structural action optimization, to orient research on particular natural chemicals for managing inflammatory, infectious diseases and cancers, or to boost vaccine immunogenicity.

Berberine: A natural modulator of immune cells in multiple sclerosis

Berberine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in such plants as Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aristata, and others, revealing a variety of pharmacological properties as a result of interacting with different cellular and molecular targets. Recent studies have shown the immunomodulatory effects of Berberine which result from its impacts on immune cells and immune response mediators such as diverse T lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cells (DCs), and different inflammatory cytokines. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by the recruitment of autoreactive T cells into the CNS causing demyelination, axonal damage, and oligodendrocyte loss. There have been considerable changes discovered in MS regards to the function and frequency of T cell subsets such as Th1 cells, Th17 cells, Th2 cells, Treg cells, and DCs. In the current research, we reviewed the outcomes of in vitro, experimental, and clinical investigations concerning the modulatory effects that Berberine provides on the function and numbers of T cell subsets and DCs, as well as important cytokines that are involved in MS.

Immunomodulating Phytochemicals: An Insight Into Their Potential Use in Cytokine Storm Situations

Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that possess a variety of bioactive properties, including antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of phytochemicals in targeting specific signalling pathways involved in cytokine storm, a life-threatening clinical condition resulting from excessive immune cell activation and oversupply of proinflammatory cytokines. Several studies have documented the immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals on immune function, including their ability to regulate essential cellular and molecular interactions of immune system cells. This makes them a promising alternative for cytokine storm management, especially when combined with existing chemotherapies. Furthermore, phytochemicals have been found to target multiple signalling pathways, including the TNF-α/NF-κB, IL-1/NF-κB, IFN-γ/JAK/STAT, and IL-6/JAK-STAT. These pathways play critical roles in the development and progression of cytokine storm, and targeting them with phytochemicals represents a promising strategy for controlling cytokine release and the subsequent inflammation. Studies have also investigated certain families of plant-related constituents and their potential immunomodulatory actions. In vivo and in vitro studies have reported the immunomodulatory effects of phytochemicals, which provide viable alternatives in the management of cytokine storm syndrome. The collective data from previous studies suggest that phytochemicals represent a potentially functional source of cytokine storm treatment and promote further exploration of these compounds as immunomodulatory agents for suppressing specific signalling cascade responses. Overall, the previous research findings support the use of phytochemicals as a complementary approach in managing cytokine storm and improving patient outcomes.

An outlook on the target-based molecular mechanism of phytoconstituents as immunomodulators

The immune system is one of the essential defense mechanisms. Immune system inadequacy increases the risk of infections and cancer diseases, whereas over-activation of the immune system causes allergies or autoimmune disorders. Immunomodulators have been used in the treatment of immune-related diseases. There is growing interest in using herbal medicines as multicomponent agents to modulate the complex immune system in immune-related diseases. Many therapeutic phytochemicals showed immunomodulatory effects by various mechanisms. This mechanism includes stimulation of lymphoid cell, phagocytosis, macrophage, and cellular immune function enhancement. In addition increased antigen-specific immunoglobulin production, total white cell count, and inhibition of TNF-α, IFN-γ, NF-kB, IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and other cytokines that influenced the immune system. This review aims to overview, widely investigated plant-derived phytoconstituents by targeting cells to modulate cellular and humoral immunity in in vivo and in vitro. However, further high-quality research is needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of plant-based immunomodulators.

Menthone supplementation protects from allergic inflammation in the lungs of asthmatic mice

To screen potent terpenoid compounds against allergic inflammation in vitro and in vivo, five terpenoid compounds including menthone, farnesol, oridonin, β-escin and lupeol, were first selected to compare their anti-allergic inflammation potential using mouse lung mast cells in vitro. Among five selected terpenoid compounds, just menthone treatment decreased TNF-α/IL-10 secretion ratios in lipopolysaccharide -stimulated mast cells in vitro. As a result, menthone was further chosen to treat ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged BALB/c mice by gavage for 5 weeks. There were six groups including dietary control (DC group, 0 mg menthone/kg b.w./day), 8 (ML group), 40 (MM group) as well as 200 mg menthone/kg b.w./day (MH group) by gavage, positive control (PC group, 3 mg dexamethasone/kg b.w. by gavage before OVA challenge) and non-treatment control (NTC group, normal mice without treatment) in the experiment. Changes of inflammatory mediators, cell distribution, Th1/Th2 and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines secretion as well as relative gene expression amounts of six receptors related to allergic inflammation in the lungs and airways were measured. The results showed that middle menthone supplementation (40 mg menthone/kg b.w./day) in vivo decreased protein and eotaxin, but increased Th1 cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Menthone supplementation inhibited eosinophilia, mast cell degranulation, chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3 (CC receptor 3) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 1 (CXC receptor 1) gene expression amounts in the lungs, but restored the percentage of monocytes/macrophages. Our results suggest that menthone supplementation may alleviate allergic asthma through regulating airway allergic inflammation, protein overproduction, eosinophils infiltration, Th1/Th2 immune balance, CC receptor 3 and CXC receptor 1 gene expression amounts in the lungs but restoring the percentage of monocytes/macrophages in allergic asthmatic mice.

Menthone Inhalation Alleviates Local and Systemic Allergic Inflammation in Ovalbumin-Sensitized and Challenged Asthmatic Mice

Menthone is rich in Mentha × Piperita L. essential oil and it has anti-inflammatory properties; research shows that it is useful, via percutaneous absorption, in treating inflammation-related diseases. However, anti-allergic inflammatory effects of volatile menthone have not yet been used to treat allergic asthma, in vivo. We hypothesized that menthone inhalation may have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in patients with allergic asthma. Therefore, in our study, menthone inhalation was used to treat ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged asthmatic mice. Allergic inflammation mediator changes in the lungs and airways, sera, splenocytes, and peritoneal macrophages of the mice were measured. Relative expression amounts of six receptor genes related to allergic inflammation of the lungs and airways were quantitated using a two-step real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results showed that menthone inhalation increased serum OVA-specific IgG2a/IgG1 and IgG2a/IgE ratios, increased Th1-type cytokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and decreased nitric oxide, protein, and eotaxin levels. Menthone inhalation inhibited mast cell and eosinophil degranulation, and chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3 (Ccr3) gene expression amounts, but (relatively) increased Th1 cytokine secretion by splenocytes. Our results evidence that menthone inhalation alleviates local and systemic allergic inflammation in asthmatic mice.

Berberine Inhibits the Adhesion of Candida albicans to Vaginal Epithelial Cells

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an inflammatory disease of the vagina mainly caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans), which affects around three-quarters of all women during their reproductive age. Although some antifungal drugs such as azoles have been applied clinically for many years, their therapeutic value is very limited due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Previous studies have shown that the adhesion of C. albicans to vaginal epithelial cells is essential for the pathogenesis of VVC. Therefore, preventing the adhesion of C. albicans to vaginal epithelial cells may be one of the most effective strategies for the treatment of VVC. Berberine (BBR) is a biologically active herbal alkaloid that was used to treat VVC. However, so far, its mechanism has remained unclear. This study shows BBR significantly inhibits the adhesion of C. albicans to vaginal epithelial cells by reducing the expressions of ICAM-1, mucin1, and mucin4 in vaginal epithelial cells, which play the most important role in modulating the adhesion of C. albicans to host cells, and balancing IL-2 and IL-4 expressions, which play a key effect on regulating the inflammatory response caused by C. albicans infection. Hence, our findings demonstrate that BBR may be a potential therapeutic agent for VVC by interfering with the adhesion of C. albicans to vaginal epithelial cells and represents a new pathway for developing antifungal therapies agents from natural herbs.

Mechanistic insight into immunomodulatory effects of food-functioned plant secondary metabolites

Medicinally important plant-foods offer a balanced immune function, which is essential for protecting the body against antigenic invasion, mainly by microorganisms. Immunomodulators play pivotal roles in supporting immune function either suppressing or stimulating the immune system's response to invading pathogens. Among different immunomodulators, plant-based secondary metabolites have emerged as high potential not only for immune defense but also for cellular immunoresponsiveness. These natural immunomodulators can be developed into safer alternatives to the clinically used immunosuppressants and immunostimulant cytotoxic drugs which possess serious side effects. Many plants of different species have been reported to possess strong immunomodulating properties. The immunomodulatory effects of plant extracts and their bioactive metabolites have been suggested due to their diverse mechanisms of modulation of the complex immune system and their multifarious molecular targets. Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates and polyphenols have been reported as responsible for the immunomodulatory effects of several medicinal plants. This review illustrates the potent immunomodulatory effects of 65 plant secondary metabolites, including dietary compounds and their underlying mechanisms of action on cellular and humoral immune functions in in vitro and in vivo studies. The clinical potential of some of the compounds to be used for various immune-related disorders is highlighted.

A Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Danshen Baibixiao Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Inflammation in Mice

Background: Danshen Baibixiao (DB) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, which has been used to treat psoriasis for decades. Although DB shows good efficacy in clinical practice, the pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms of DB remain elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-psoriatic effects of DB and explore its underlying mechanisms in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Materials and methods: DB was orally administered on IMQ-induced psoriatic mice. Psoriasis area severity index (PASI) was used to evaluate the severity of the inflammation in skin, and histological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-23, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-22 in serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). mRNA expressions of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-6 and IL-22 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Expression levels of proteins related to NF-κB, STAT3 and MAPKs signaling pathways were measured by western blotting (WB). Results: DB significantly ameliorated the psoriatic symptoms in IMQ-induced mice. The serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-23, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-22) were decreased, and mRNA expressions of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-6 and IL-22 in skin tissues were down-regulated. Moreover, WB analysis indicated that DB inhibited the activation of NF-κB, STAT3 and MAPKs signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study confirms the anti-psoriatic activity of DB in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mice. The possible mechanism may relate to the activities of regulating the IL-23/TH-17 axis and suppressing the activation of NF-κB, STAT3 and MAPKs signaling pathways.

Repurposing of the Herbals as Immune-Boosters in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19: A Review

Coronavirus disease (COVID) is highly contagious, and negligence of it causes high morbidity and mortality globally. The highly infectious viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was abbreviated as COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) by World Health Organization first time on February 11, 2020, and later on, WHO declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic on 11/3/2020. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that the SARS CoV-2 infects the overall population, irrespective of age, gender, or ethnic variation, but it was observed in clinical studies that older and compromised immunity population is much more prone to COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 majorly spread through aeration route in droplet form on sneezing and coughing, or by contact when touching eyes, nose or mouth with the infected hands or any other organs, resulting from mild to severe range of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This literature-based review was done by searching the relevant SCI and SCOPUS papers on the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, herbal formulation, and Ayurveda from the databases, Academia, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate. The present review attempts to recognize the therapeutic strategies to combat COVID-19 because of the current human risk. Indian system of medicine, including herbals, has immense potential in treating and managing various viral infections and provides evidence to utilize Ayurvedic medication to improve immunity. Cumulative research findings suggest that Ayurvedic formulations and herbal immunomodulators (Tino sporacordifolia, Withania somnifera, Crocus sativus, Zafran, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Albizia lebbek, Terminalia chebula, Piper longum, Mangifera indica, Ocimum sanctum, Centella asiatica ) are promising in the treatment of outrageous viral infections without exerting adverse effects. Considering the ancient wisdom of knowledge, the herbal formulations would compel healthcare policymakers to endorse Ayurveda formulations to control the COVID-19 pandemic significantly.

The effect of black barberry hydroalcoholic extract on immune mediators in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease associated with inflammation. In this trial, we aimed to investigate the Immunomodulatory effect of hydroalcoholic extract of black barberry on immune mediators in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 80 women with active RA were randomly assigned into two groups of two capsules, each containing 1,000 mg black barberry extract (n = 40) or maltodextrin placebo (n = 40) daily for 12 weeks. Demographic indices, physical activity, dietary intake, and disease activity were investigated using suitable questionnaires. Concentration of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 in blood sample were measured using PBMC method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 22). At baseline, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographic indices, physical activity, and dietary intake (p > .05). Black barberry supplementation reduced the severity of RA. It showed no significant effect on IL-2 and IL-4 cytokines (p > .05). IL-17 levels decreased significantly after the intervention within the black barberry group, while IL-10 had a significant increase in this group (p < .05). Barberry extract may reduce inflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines in RA, and stimulates the immune response by increasing Th2 production.

GSF3, a polysaccharide from guava (Psidium guajava L.) seeds, inhibits MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth via increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio or Fas mRNA expression levels

Guava seed polysaccharide fraction 3 (GSF3) is an immunomodulatory polysaccharide from guava (Psidium guajava L.) seed polysaccharides. However, effects of GSF3 on the growth of breast cancer cells were not understood, yet. To clarify the GSF3 effects on breast cancer cell growth, GSF3 was subjected to treat MCF-7 cells using direct action or indirect immunotherapy using immune cells conditioned media, respectively. The viabilities of MCF-7 cells were measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Changes in pro-(Bax)/anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and Fas mRNA expression levels in the treated MCF-7 cells were measured using two-step reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that GSF3 inhibited MCF-7 cell growth through either direct action or indirect immunotherapy. GSF3 direct action significantly (P < 0.05) decreased Bcl-2 mRNA expression amount but increased pro-(Bax)/anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) mRNA expression ratios in the treated cells. The splenocytes conditioned media cultured with GSF3 increased Fas mRNA expression amounts in the treated MCF-7 cells. There was a significant negative correlation between Th2-polarized cytokines secreted by immune cells and Fas mRNA expression levels in the corresponding treated MCF-7 cells. Our findings suggested that GSF3 is a potent anti-cancerous polysaccharide by direct action or indirectly modulating immune cell cytokine secretion profiles.

Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Its Main Compounds

Berberis vulgaris is a well-known herb in Iran that is widely used as a medicinal plant and a food additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Barberry and its main compounds. This narrative review was conducted by searching keywords such as B. vulgaris, Barberry, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, medicinal herbs, plants, and extract, separately or combined in various databases, such as Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, just English language articles, which reported effective whole plants or herbal compounds, were included. 21 articles were reviewed in this study. In the in vivo models (mice, rats, and human cells) and in the in vitro models (some organ cells such as the spleen, kidney, blood, and brain), B. vulgaris and its main components showed anti-inflammatory effects in both models. The main mechanisms were the shift of cell immune response to Th2, T reg induction, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF, and IFN-γ), and stimulation of IL-4 and IL-10. The induction of apoptosis in APCs and other effector cells was another important mechanism.

The protective effect of berberine against lipopolysaccharide-induced abortion by modulation of inflammatory/immune responses

OBJECTIVE

Berberine is an isoquinoline derivative alkaloid with anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of berberine in prevention of LPS-induced abortion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

On the gestation day (GD) 9.5, the pregnant mice were injected with low, medium, and high doses of berberine or with PBS. After 4 h, berberine or PBS-pretreated mice were injected with LPS. On GD 11.5, blood samples and uterine tissues were collected from treated mice and percentage of abortion and serum levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL12p70 were measured by macroscopic examination and sandwich ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

Our findings show that mice injected with berberine were resistant to LPS-induced abortion. We also found that this treatment prevents the reduction of IL-10 and the enhancement of NO, TNF-α, and IL-12p70 in LPS-treated pregnant mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results suggest that berberine as an anti-inflammatory agent has protective effects on LPS-induced abortion by modulation of inflammatory/immune responses.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Taiwanese Neolitsea Species on Th1 and Th2 Functionality

Neolitsea species, medicinal plants belonging to Lauraceae, contain rich alkaloids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids which possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. However, species differences in the immunomodulatory effects and evidence pertaining to the effects of Neolitsea species on adaptive immunity are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of ten Taiwanese Neolitsea plants on T helper (Th) cell functionality, especially Th1 and Th2. Most of the 29 crude extracts of Neolitsea were not toxic to splenocytes, except N. buisanensis roots. N. aciculata and N. villosa leaf extracts possessed differential immunomodulatory effects on Th1/Th2 balance. N. aciculata var. variabillima and N. hiiranensis leaf extracts attenuated both Th1 and Th2 cytokines while N. konishii dramatically suppressed IFN-γ production. As N. aciculata var. variabillima and N. konishii leaf extracts significantly attenuated Th1 functionality, we further evaluated their effects on CD4 cells under CD3/CD28 stimulation. N. aciculata var. variabillima significantly suppressed IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17, demonstrating the broad suppressive effects on T helper cells; N. konishii significantly suppressed IFN-γ and IL-10 production, while the production of IL-17 was not altered. Collectively, these data demonstrated that leaf extracts of Taiwanese Neolitsea species contain phytochemicals with potentials to be developed as selective immunomodulators.

Berberis vulgaris and its constituent berberine as antidotes and protective agents against natural or chemical toxicities

Berberis vulgaris L (B. vulgaris) and its main constituent berberine have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. This medicinal plant and berberine have many properties that have attracted the attention of researchers over the time. According to several studies, B. vulgaris and berberine exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-Alzheimer, anti-cancer, anti-arrhythmic, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-diabetic effects in both in vitro and invivo experiments. In regard to many reports on protective effects of B. vulgaris and berberine on natural and chemical toxins, in the current review article, the inhibitory effects of these compounds against natural, industrial, environmental and chemical toxicities with focus on cellular mechanism have been categorized. It has been mentioned that berberine could ameliorate toxicity of chemical toxins in brain, heart, kidney, liver and lung in part through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways.

Barberry's (Berberis integerrima) ingredients suppress T-cell response and shift immune responses toward Th2: an in vitro study

Aim:

Food and medicinal applications of barberry date back to 2500 years ago. This study investigates Berberis integerrima impact on lymphocytic immune responses.

Materials & methods:

Balb/c splenocytes were treated by 0.001–1000 μg/ml of B. integerrimaaqueous and alcoholic extracts in presence of phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide mitogens. Cell proliferation was assayed and cytokines were measured using ELISA.

Results:

Both extracts suppressed proliferation of phytohemagglutinin stimulated splenocytes (as T cells), while alcoholic extract induced expansion of lipopolysaccharide activated cells (as B lymphocytes) and unstimulated cells (p < 0.05). Both barberry extracts suppressed IFN-γ production (p < 0.05) and enhanced IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β release from splenocytes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Both extracts could suppress T-cell and enhance B-cell proliferation and shift immune responses toward Th2.

Food and medicinal applications of barberry date back to 2500 years. This study investigates Berberis integerrima's impact on lymphocytic immune responses. Balb/c splenocytes were treated by water and alcoholic extract of barberry which have changed cytokine release from cells. Both extracts could suppress T-cell expansion and enhance B-cell proliferation and also shift immune responses toward Th2. Therefore, B. integerrima contents can promote humoral immunity and would have beneficial applications in disease and conditions that humoral immunity needs to get stronger.

Attenuation of antigen-specific T helper 1 immunity by Neolitsea hiiranensis and its derived terpenoids

Background

T cells play a pivotal role in the adaptive immunity that participates in a wide range of immune responses through a complicated cytokine network. Imbalance of T-cell responses is involved in several immune disorders. Neolitsea species, one of the biggest genera in the family Lauraceae, have been employed widely as folk medicines for a long time in Asia. Previous phytochemical investigations revealed the abundance of terpenes in the leaves of N. hiiranensis, an endemic Neolitsea in Taiwan, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect of N. hiiranensis on the functionality of immune cells, especially T cells, is still unclear. In this study, we utilize in vitro and in vivo approaches to characterize the effects of leaves of N. hiiranensis and its terpenoids on adaptive immune responses.

Methods

Dried leaves of N. hiiranensis were extracted three times with cold methanol to prepare crude extracts and to isolate its secondary metabolites. The ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized BALB/c mice were administrated with N. hiiranensis extracts (5–20 mg/kg). The serum and splenocytes of treated mice were collected to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of N. hiiranensis on the production of OVA-specific antibodies and cytokines. To further identify the N. hiiranensis-derived compounds with immunomodulatory potentials, OVA-primed splenocytes were treated with compounds isolated from N. hiiranensis by determining the cell viability, cytokine productions, and mRNA expression in the presence of OVA in vitro.

Results

Crude extracts of leaves of N. hiiranensis significantly inhibited IL-12, IFN-γ, and IL-2 cytokine productions as well as the serum levels of antigen-specific IgM and IgG_2ain vivo. Two of fourteen selected terpenoids and one diterpenoid derived from the leaves of N. hiiranensis suppressed IFN-γ in vitro. In addition, β-caryophyllene oxide attenuated the expression of IFN-γ, T-bet, and IL-12Rβ2 in a dose-dependent manner. N. hiiranensis-derived β-caryophyllene oxide inhibited several aspects of adaptive immune responses, including T-cell differentiation, IFN-γ production, and Th1-assocaited genes.

Conclusion

As IFN-γ is the key cytokine secreted by T helper-1 cells and plays a pivotal role in Th1 immune responses, our results suggested that the N. hiiranensis and its terpenoids may possess potential therapeutic effects on Th1-mediated immune disorders.

Plant-derived immunomodulators: an insight on their preclinical evaluation and clinical trials

The phagocyte-microbe interactions in the immune system is a defense mechanism but when excessively or inappropriately deployed can harm host tissues and participate in the development of different non-immune and immune chronic inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune problems, allergies, some rheumatoid disorders, cancers and others. Immunodrugs include organic synthetics, biological agents such as cytokines and antibodies acting on single targets or pathways have been used to treat immune-related diseases but with limited success. Most of immunostimulants and immunosuppressants in clinical use are the cytotoxic drugs which possess serious side effects. There is a growing interest to use herbal medicines as multi-component agents to modulate the complex immune system in the prevention of infections rather than treating the immune-related diseases. Many therapeutic effects of plant extracts have been suggested to be due to their wide array of immunomodulatory effects and influence on the immune system of the human body. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, lactones, alkaloids, diterpenoids and glycosides, present in several plants, have been reported to be responsible for the plants immunomodulating properties. Thus the search for natural products of plant origin as new leads for development of potent and safe immunosuppressant and immunostimulant agents is gaining much major research interest. The present review will give an overview of widely investigated plant-derived compounds (curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechol-3-gallate, quercetin, colchicine, capsaicin, andrographolide, and genistein) which have exhibited potent effects on cellular and humoral immune functions in pre-clinical investigations and will highlight their clinical potential.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) plumule polysaccharide ameliorates pancreatic islets loss and serum lipid profiles in non-obese diabetic mice

To unravel possible protective effects of a newly isolated lotus plumule polysaccharide (LPPS) on type 1 diabetes (T1D), this study isolated LPPS and administered it to non-obese diabetic (NOD) female mice for 15 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance, serum ketone body, glucose, insulin, and lipid levels, as well as pancreatic islet cell numbers and the insulin secretion ability of the experimental mice were determined. The results showed that LPPS administration in vivo significantly (P<0.05) increased pancreatic islet cell numbers and slightly enhanced the basal insulin secretion ability compared to the control group. LPPS administration improved serum lipid profiles in the diabetic mice via relatively increasing serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, but decreasing low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. The present study suggests that LPPS supplementation may ameliorate T1D progress and its complications through protecting pancreatic islets and modulating serum lipid profiles.

Purified active lotus plumule (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) polysaccharides exert anti-inflammatory activity through decreasing toll-like receptor-2 and -4 expressions using mouse primary splenocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Lotus plumule is widely used as traditional Chinese medicine. Among the active components in lotus plumule, polysaccharides exhibit promising potential for its potent anti-inflammatory effects. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of purified polysaccharides from lotus plumule remains unknown. To evaluate their anti-inflammatory potential and possible mechanisms of purified polysaccharides in lotus plumule, two active lotus plumule polysaccharides, fractions F1 and F2, were subjected to assay their anti-inflammatory potential and possible mechanisms using murine primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two purified active lotus plumule polysaccharides, F1 and F2, were cultured independently with murine primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of LPS under four different experiment models in vitro. Changes in pro-inflammatory IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines secreted by the treated splenocytes were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 mRNA expression levels in the cells were quantitated using a two-step real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

RESULTS

The results showed that F1 and F2 treatments alone, particularly F2, significantly (P<0.05) decreased pro-/anti-inflammatory (IL-1β/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10) cytokine secretion ratios dose-dependently. F1 and F2 treatments in the presence of LPS significantly decreased TLR-2 and/or TLR-4 mRNA expression levels in the splenocytes under inflammatory and repair experiment models.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study proved that F1 and F2 had strong anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting TLR-2 and/or TLR-4 expressions in the splenocytes in normal, inflammatory and repair situations. Our results further suggest that F2, which is a glycoprotein with low molecular weight of 25.7 kDa, may serve as a promising lead for the development of selective TLR antagonistic agents for inflammatory diseases.

IL-37 (IL-1F7) the Newest Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Which Suppresses Immune Responses and Inflammation

Cytokines such as interleukins, chemokines and interferons are immunomodulating and inflammatory agents, characterized by considerable redundancy, in that many cytokines appear to share similar functions. Virtually all nucleated cells, but especially epithelial cells and macrophages, are potent producers of cytokines. The objective of this study is to review the detailed mechanism of action and the biological profiles of IL-37, the newest anti-inflammatory cytokine. This review focuses on IL-37, a key cytokine in regulating inflammatory responses, mainly by inhibiting the expression, production and function of proinflammatory cytokines: IL-1 family pro-inflammatory effects are markedly suppressed by IL-37.