title: Cyto-protective and immunomodulating properties of Amla (Emblica officinalis) on lymphocytes: an in-vitro study.
abstract: The fruits extracts of Emblica officinalis (Amla) has been reported to have strong anti-oxidant properties. There is a paucity of studies on the immunomodulatory properties of fruit extracts of Amla in immuno-compromised states, with the emphasis on lymphocytes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Amla using chromium (VI) as an immunosuppressive agent. Chromium (Cr) treatment results in enhanced cytotoxicity, free radical production, lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and diminished glutathione (GSH) levels. There was a significant inhibition of both lipopolysaccharide and concanavalin-A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. Chromium also inhibited Con A stimulated interleukin-2 and gamma-interferon production significantly. Further, there was enhanced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in the presence of Cr. Amla significantly inhibited Cr-induced free radical production and restored the anti-oxidant status back to control level. Amla also inhibited apoptosis and DNA fragmentation induced by Cr. Interestingly, Amla relieved the immunosuppressive effects of Cr on lymphocyte proliferation and even restored the IL-2 and gamma-IFN production considerably.
authors.affiliation: Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, New Delhi 110054, India. sairam64@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sai Ram
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neetu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yogesh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anju
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dipti
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pauline
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: S K S
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sarada
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ilavazhagan
authors.forename: Devendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Selvamurthy
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002857:Chromium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D029842:Phyllanthus emblica / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008934:Mitogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002857:Chromium; D007371:Interferon-gamma