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Setlhare B, Letsoalo M, Nkabinde SA, Nkabinde M, Mzobe G, Mtshali A, Parveen S, Ngcobo S, Invernizzi L, Maharaj V, Ngcobo M, Gqaleni N. An in vitro study to elucidate the effects of product Nkabinde on immune response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1308913. [PMID: 38533263 PMCID: PMC10963514 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1308913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: A significant number of the South African population still rely on traditional medicines (TM) as their primary healthcare due to their belief in their holistic healing and immune-boosting properties. However, little to no scientific data is available on the effects of most TM products on cytokine and cellular biomarkers of the immune response. Here, we evaluated the impact of traditional medicine [Product Nkabinde (PN)] in inducing cellular and cytokine biomarkers of inflammation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from eight healthy volunteers. Methods: PN was supplied by a local Traditional Health Practitioner (THP). The IC50 (half maximum concentration) of the standardized extract on isolated PBMCs was established using the cell viability assay over 24 h of incubation. Luminex and flow cytometry assays were used to measure cytokine and cellular levels in PBMCs stimulated with PN and/or PHA over 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Results: The IC50 concentration of PN in treated PBMCs was established at 325.3 μg/mL. In the cellular activation assay, the percentages of CD38-HLA-DR + on total CD4+ T cells were significantly increased in PBMCs stimulated with PN compared to unstimulated controls after 24 h (p = 0.008). PN significantly induced the production of anti-inflammatory IL-10 (p = 0.041); proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α (p = 0.003), TNF-α (p < 0.0001); and chemokine MIP-1β (p = 0.046) compared to the unstimulated control after 24 h. At 48 h incubation, the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α (p = 0.034) and TNF-α (p = 0.011) were significantly induced following treatment with PN. Conclusion: We conclude that the PN possesses in vitro immunomodulatory properties that may influence immune and inflammatory responses. More studies using PN are needed to further understand key parameters mediating induction, expression, and regulation of the immune response in the context of pathogen-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boitumelo Setlhare
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Marothi Letsoalo
- Centre for Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Siphathimandla Authority Nkabinde
- Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Magugu Nkabinde
- Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gugulethu Mzobe
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andile Mtshali
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sobia Parveen
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Samukelisiwe Ngcobo
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Luke Invernizzi
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Vinesh Maharaj
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mlungisi Ngcobo
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nceba Gqaleni
- Discipline of Traditional Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Africa Health Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Duarte-Casar R, Romero-Benavides JC. Tragia L. Genus: Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activity. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10122717. [PMID: 34961188 PMCID: PMC8705345 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tragia L. is a genus of plants belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family with worldwide intertropical distribution, composed of more than 150 species. In this literature review, 26 species of the genus used as medicinal plants were found, mainly in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent, with a variety of uses among which antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and reproductive health are most common. Research has been done on a few of the species, mostly those of the Old World, with emphasis on four of them: Tragia involucrata Linn., Tragia spathulata Benth., Tragia benthamii Baker and Tragia plukenetii Radcl.-Sm., confirming several ethnomedicinal claims. Moreover, a variety of active phytochemicals have been isolated, mainly ethers, hydrocarbons, flavonoids and sterols. There is ample field for the evaluation of the activity of Tragia extracts and essential oils and the identification of their active compounds, particularly of the New World species, for which there is still very little research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Duarte-Casar
- Maestría en Química Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110108, Ecuador;
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110108, Ecuador
| | - Juan Carlos Romero-Benavides
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110108, Ecuador
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +593-98-770-8487
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van Vuuren S, Frank L. Review: Southern African medicinal plants used as blood purifiers. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 249:112434. [PMID: 31812645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMALOGICAL RELEVANCE Blood purification practices, also referred to as blood cleansing or detoxification, is an ancient concept which is widespread amongst African traditional medicine, but for which no modern scientific basis exists. There prevails considerable ambiguity in defining what a blood purifier is. AIM OF THE STUDY The purpose of this review is to firstly define what a blood purifier is in the context of African traditional medicine and compare to other cultural and westernized interpretations. Thereafter, this study identifies traditionally used medicinal plants used as blood purifiers in southern Africa and correlates these species to scientific studies, which may support evidence for these "blood purifying plant species". MATERIALS AND METHODS Ethnobotanical books and review articles were used to identify medicinal plants used for blood purification. Databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to source scientific articles. An evaluation was made to try correlate traditional use to scientific value of the plant species. RESULTS One hundred and fifty nine plant species have been documented as traditional remedies for blood purification. Most of the plant species have some pharmacological activity, however, very little link to the traditional use for blood purification. There has been some justification of the link between blood purification and the use as an antimicrobial and this has been explored in many of the plant species identified as blood purifiers. Other pharmacological studies specifically pertaining to the blood require further attention. CONCLUSION Irrespective of the ambiguity of interpretation, medicinal plants used to "cleanse the blood", play an important holistic role in traditional medicine and this review with recommendations for further study provides some value of exploring this theme in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- S van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, South Africa.
| | - L Frank
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
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