Immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis flowers with particular reference to splenocytes proliferation and cytokines induction

Effect of Momordica charantia polysaccharide on immunomodulatory activity in mice

Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) have been reported to exert beneficial roles, such as disease healing, in medicine and pharmacy. However, little is known about their effects on immunomodulation. The present study aimed to explore the possible effects of Momordica charantia polysaccharide (MCP) on the immunomodulatory activity of mice lymphocytes. To this aim, male BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were assigned to the following six experimental groups: i) Normal (NG); ii) model (MG); iii) positive (PG); iv) MCP low-dose (MLG); v) MCP medium-dose (MMG); and vi) MCP high-dose (MHG). An immunosuppressive model was established by the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide in all groups apart from NG. The NG and MG mice were fed with distilled water, whereas the PG mice were administered with levamisole and the MLG, MMG and MHG mice were fed on low, medium and high (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively) doses of MCP for 21 consecutive days. Subsequently, the mice underwent surgical procedure and were analysed using a range of procedures, including measurement of the thymus index (TI) and spleen index (SI), assessment of the lymphocyte proliferation rate and cell phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages, lymphocyte proliferation, secretion and mRNA expression of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12. The mice divided into six groups as mentioned above and treated for 7 days, in the first 6 days, except NG group, mice in each group were desiccated in the abdominal cavity and sensitized by 1% dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). On day 6, mice were sensitized with 20 µl DNFB/acetone/olive oil solution behind the right ear and in front of the right ear. Compared with those in the NG mice (not injected with 80 mg/kg cyclophosphamide), the TIs and SIs of the PG, MLG, MMG and MHG mice were increased. In addition, the inhibitory rate of ear swelling and the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in the PG, MLG, MMG and MHG mice were increased compared with those of MG. Furthermore, the lymphocyte proliferation rate, the secretion and relative mRNA expression levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12 were significantly increased in the PG, MMG and MHG mice compared with those in the NG mice. The results from the present study suggest that treatment with MCP led to an upregulation of the organ indices of immunosuppressed mice, reduced their delayed allergic reaction indicated by the differential cytokine levels, improved the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, enhanced the proliferation rate of lymphocytes, increased the secretion and expression of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-12. Therefore, MCP may improve the immune function of the immunosuppressed mice.

Evaluation of In vivo Antimalarial Property of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Night Jasmine) Leaves

BACKGROUND

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (NAT) is an ornamental garden plant traditionally used for treating many diseases such as helminthiasis, arthritis, and malaria.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to validate the ethnobotanical uses of the antimalarial activity of leaves of NAT by in vivo tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Leaves of NAT were identified and authenticated and phytoconstituents of NAT were identified. The antimalarial activity of NAT was studied in in vivo for its schizonticidal activity, repository activity, and curative tests in Swiss albino mice by using Plasmodium berghei (ANKA).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

One-way ANOVA was done for comparison of different groups followed by post hoc analysis (Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests). Level of significance was at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean schizonticidal activity of NAT increased from 14.21 to 46.15 (P < 0.01) with doses ranging from 100 to 200 mg/kg compared to 67.29 with that of chloroquine (CQ). The repository activity with NAT doses 100-200 mg/kg increased from 12.91 to 42.85 (P < 0.01) compared to 78.79 in pyrimethamine 1.2 mg/kg/day. In Rane's test, there was chemosuppression in range of 55.50-65.02 (P < 0.01) with NAT in doses of 100-200 mg/kg compared to 74.15 with that of CQ 5 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

The antiplasmodial activity of NAT might be like that of artemisinin by producing oxidative stress mostly due to the iridoid glycosides. The active phytoconstituent(s) responsible may be tested individually or in combination both by in vitro and in vivo studies to identify the active chemical ingredient.

Herbal plants as immunity modulators against COVID-19: A primary preventive measure during home quarantine

The novel coronavirus or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a deadly virus which has spread globally and claimed millions of lives. This novel virus transmits mainly through droplets and close human contact. It’s impact in different countries varies depending on geographical location, climatic conditions, food habits, and cultural activities. Several precautionary measures, as well as many medicines, are applied in different combinations to limit the spread of infection. This results in a preliminary relief of people infected in the first stage of infection. An alternative approach has been introduced which proposes natural herbs, which have minimal or no side effects, and improve overall immunity. Some essential herbs with their immunomodulatory effects are mentioned in this article along with suggestions for improved immunity and protection.

Indian Medicinal Plants and Formulations and Their Potential Against COVID-19-Preclinical and Clinical Research

The cases of COVID-19 are still increasing day-by-day worldwide, even after a year of its first occurrence in Wuhan city of China. The spreading of SARS-CoV-2 infection is very fast and different from other SARS-CoV infections possibly due to structural differences in S proteins. The patients with severe diseases may die due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by systemic inflammatory reactions due to the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by the immune effector cells. In India too, it is spreading very rapidly, although the case fatality rate is below 1.50% (https://www.statista.com), which is markedly less than in other countries, despite the dense population and minimal health infrastructure in rural areas. This may be due to the routine use of many immunomodulator medicinal plants and traditional AYUSH formulations by the Indian people. This communication reviews the AYUSH recommended formulations and their ingredients, routinely used medicinal plants and formulations by Indian population as well as other promising Indian medicinal plants, which can be tested against COVID-19. Special emphasis is placed on Indian medicinal plants reported for antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory activities and they are categorized for prioritization in research on the basis of earlier reports. The traditional AYUSH medicines currently under clinical trials against COVID-19 are also discussed as well as furtherance of pre-clinical and clinical testing of the potential traditional medicines against COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. The results of the clinical studies on AYUSH drugs will guide the policymakers from the AYUSH systems of medicines to maneuver their policies for public health, provide information to the global scientific community and could form a platform for collaborative studies at national and global levels. It is thereby suggested that promising AYUSH formulations and Indian medicinal plants must be investigated on a priority basis to solve the current crisis.

Use of medicinal plants for headache, and their potential implication in medication-overuse headache: Evidence from a population-based study in Nepal

Background

In Nepal, traditional treatment using medicinal plants is popular. Whereas medication-overuse headache is, by definition, caused by excessive use of acute headache medication, we hypothesized that medicinal plants, being pharmacologically active, were as likely a cause.

Methods

We used data from a cross-sectional, nationwide population-based study, which enquired into headache and use of medicinal plants and allopathic medications. We searched the literature for pharmacodynamic actions of the medicinal plants.

Results

Of 2100 participants, 1794 (85.4%) reported headache in the preceding year; 161 (7.7%) reported headache on ≥15 days/month, of whom 28 (17.4%) had used medicinal plants and 117 (72.7%) allopathic medication(s). Of 46 with probable medication-overuse headache, 87.0% (40/46) were using allopathic medication(s) and 13.0% (6/46) medicinal plants, a ratio of 6.7:1, higher than the overall ratio among those with headache of 4.9:1 (912/185). Of 60 plant species identified, 49 were pharmacodynamically active on the central nervous system, with various effects of likely relevance in medication-overuse headache causation.

Conclusions

MPs are potentially a cause of medication-overuse headache, and not to be seen as innocent in this regard. Numbers presumptively affected in Nepal are low but not negligible. This pioneering project provides a starting point for further research to provide needed guidance on use of medicinal plants for headache.