title: Effect of Melia azedarach L. leaf extracts on human complement and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
abstract: The effect of the water extract of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) leaves on human complement and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was investigated. This extract showed a strong anticomplementary activity, which was more pronounced in the classical pathway assay. The extract did not affect the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, nor the respiratory burst of these cells as measured by the nitro blue tetrazolium reduction assay.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benencia
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Courrèges
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Massouh
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Coulombié
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000187:drug effects*; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts