A immunosuppressive triterpenoid saponin from the stems of Epigynum griffithianum

Research Progress of Natural Active Substances with Immunosuppressive Activity

The increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases globally has prompted extensive research and the development of immunosuppressants. Currently, immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine, rapamycin, and tacrolimus have been utilized in clinical practice. However, long-term use of these drugs may lead to a series of adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore novel drug candidates for treating autoimmune diseases. This review aims to find potential candidate molecules for natural immunosuppressive compounds derived from plants, animals, and fungi over the past decade. These compounds include terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and others. Among them, compounds 49, 151, 173, 200, 204, and 247 have excellent activity; their IC50 were less than 1 μM. A total of 109 compounds have good immunosuppressive activity, with IC50 ranging from 1 to 10 μM. These active compounds have high medicinal potential. The names, sources, structures, immunosuppressive activity, and the structure-activity relationship were summarized and analyzed.

Effects of Asparagus officinalis on immune system mediated EAE model of multiple sclerosis

Background

About 5 to 10 percent of the population in developed countries are affected by autoimmune diseases. One of the most important autoimmune disease with high prevalence rate is Multiple sclerosis in which there is currently no definitive cure for it, and most medications such as interferons are used only to limit the disease. The present study aims to investigate the effect of using Asparagus Officinalis fractions in an immune system mediated model of multiple sclerosis.

Material and Methods

Fractionation was performed by maceration using n-hexane, chloroform, chloroform-methanol (9: 1), n-Butanol and methanol solvents from aerial parts of Asparagus Officinalis. Thin layer chromatography, NMR and phenolic component measurement were done and two fractions were selected for checking in MS induced in vivo model.

Results

It was observed that chloroform-methanolic and N-Butanol fractions had higher content of saponin in comparison of other extracts. Also, it was showed that the methanolic and n-Butanol extracts contains the highestportion of glycosylic steroid saponins in comparison to other fractions. Regarding experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) score, Butanolic and methanolic fractions with doses higher that 100mg/kg showed a potent supportive effects as long as locomotor activity protection even in lower dose in comparison to phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group.

Conclusion

Considering the proved different effects of saponin compounds on the immune system we observed that those fractions altered the circulatory peripheral blood cells and also remit the clinical signs after EAE induction along with enhanced myelin sheath content in the median region of corpus callusom. It could be inferred that this fractions are promising candidates for further investigation as dose-dependent immune system regulating compounds in multiple sclerosis patients.

Acute and subacute toxicity evaluation of ethanol extract from aerial parts of Epigynum auritum in mice

Acute and subacute toxicities of the ethanol extract from Epigynum auritum (EAE) wereperformed by oral administration in pathogen-free mice. Acute toxicity study was performed at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days, while subacute toxicity test was conducted by daily oral administration of EAE at doses of 312, 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg for 28 days. Acute toxicity study showed that LD₅₀ of EAE was over 5000 mg/kg. The results of subacute toxicity showed no significant adverse effect of EAE at 312 mg/kg. Moreover, EAE exhibited toxicities to liver, spleen and kidney in mice determined by hematological, serum biochemical and histological analyses during daily oral administration of 1250 mg/kg and 2500 mg/kg EAE. The results revealed that the dose of EAE lower than 625 mg/kg can be regarded as safe.