title: Modulation by Polypodium leucotomos extract of cytokine patterns in experimental trichomoniasis model.
abstract: The immunomodulating effects of Anapsos, an aqueous hydrosoluble extract obtained from the rhizomes of the fern Polypodium leucotomos, on both pathogenicity and cytokine levels in serum (IFN-gamma/IL-4) were assayed in a Trichomonas vaginalis experimental model (BALB/c mice infected with 10(7) trichomonads and examined at day 15 after infection). Doses of 20 mg/kg/day administered for 10 days before the infection with the parasite induced a decrease of the experimental pathogenicity approximately 10-20% compared to controls. Gross histopathologic changes at abdominal organs and mortality rate, as a consequence of pathogenicity of the protozoa and the immune response of the host, were evaluated. IFN-gamma and IL-4 cytokines were determined on days -5, 0, 5, 10, and 15 postinfection by indirect ELISA. Treatment with PAL before infection modulates and downregulates the IFN-gamma concentration, while anticipates and upregulates the IL-4 level. The assays performed have showed the utility of the murine model of experimental trichomoniasis for the evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of synthetic or natural products.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Pza. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nogal-Ruiz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gómez-Barrio
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Escario
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Martínez-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006027:Glycosides / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032494:Polypodium / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D006027:Glycosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015847:Interleukin-4; C006870:anapsos; D007371:Interferon-gamma