title: Immunomodulatory effects of the methanolic extract of Epimedium alpinum in vitro.
abstract: The effect of the methanolic extract of root and rhizome of Epimedium alpinum (MEEA) on phenotype and functions of rat lymphocytes in vitro was studied. It has been found that MEEA at lower concentrations (0.1 microg/ml and 1 microg/ml) significantly enhanced proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes triggered by concanavalin A (Con A), whereas higher concentrations of the extract (50 microg/ml-500 microg/ml) were inhibitory. The stimulatory effect of MEEA on Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes correlated with the up-regulation of interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha) expression. In addition, increased production of IL-2 was observed when a blocking IL-2Ralpha monoclonal antibody (mAb) was added to cell cultures. MEEA-suppressed proliferation of splenocytes was due to the inhibition of IL-2 production, the down-regulation of IL-2Ralpha expression and the induction of apoptosis. Cellular proliferation in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of MEEA higher than 50 microg/ml could not be restored by the addition of exogenous IL-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. nadak@pharmacy.bg.ac.yu
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kovacević
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colić
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Backović
authors.forename: Zvezdana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Doslov-Kokorus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D034181:Epimedium; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism; D027343:Rhizome; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin