title: Immunostimulant properties of Heracleum maximum Bartr.
abstract: The root of Heracleum maximum Bartr. (Umbelliferae), known to possess direct antifungal and anti-mycobacterial properties, has been reported anecdotally to possess antiviral properties. It was therefore hypothesized that the plant may have immunostimulant properties. This hypothesis was tested using a macrophage activation assay to evaluate the ability of aqueous extracts of the root of Heracleum maximum to stimulate IL-6 production. All Heracleum maximum extracts were found to stimulate IL-6 and produced a steep dose-response curve. With the assay performed twice in the absence of the macrophage primer, IFN-gamma, the mean IL-6 production in the setting of the strongest extract was 3648pg/ml (95% CI 3361-3935) and 5430pg/ml (95% CI 4976-5885) as compared to 2722pg/ml (95% CI 2620-2824) and 6772pg/ml (95% CI 6282-7262) produced by the LPS positive control, respectively. In the presence of IFN-gamma, the strongest extract produced a mean concentration of IL-6 of 21804pg/ml (95% CI 19755-23854) surpassing the 14893pg/ml (13159-16628) produced by the LPS+IFN-gamma positive control. These positive results confirm the hypothesis of immunostimulation and thus support the anecdotal reports of antiviral activity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., Canada T6G 2R7.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taschereau
authors.forename: Timothy D G
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tannis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jurgens
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D030002:Heracleum; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts