title: Activation and apoptosis of mouse peritoneal macrophages by extracts of Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla).
abstract: Two aqueous extracts, decoction and infusion from Larrea divaricata Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) were investigated for immunomodulating activity on peritoneal macrophages (MPhi). Both extracts reduced significantly the cell viability assessed with the MTT assay at 1 and 4 mg/ml (decoction) and 0.8-4 mg/ml (infusion). Apoptotic morphology showed that at 1 and 4 mg/ml both infusion and decoction triggered an increment of the apoptosis. Pretreatment of MPhi with decoction increased significantly the phagocytosis of zymosan and Candida albicans. The production of NO was estimated as nitrite using the Griess reagent. A slight but significant increase in NO release was observed after the incubation of both extracts (0.2 mg/ml) with LPS during 48 h. As shown in western blot data MPhi cultured with infusion and LPS exhibited the stronger expression of iNOS compared with untreated cells. Both extracts (0.2 mg/ml) increased the binding of LPS-FITC to cells compared with untreated ones. The addition of Staphylococcus aureus blocked completely the binding of LPS-FITC to cells. L. divaricata stimulated the MPhi activation at 0.2 mg/ml whereas it showed a clear pro-apoptotic activity at higher concentrations. The dual effects of L. divaricata are relevant considering the use of this plant to activate the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Area Microbiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis Chacabuco y Pedernera, 5700 San Luis, Argentina.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davicino
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mattar
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Casali
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porporatto
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Blas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Micalizzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D032442:Larrea / Q000737:chemistry*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009637:Masoprocol / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D015054:Zymosan / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009637:Masoprocol; D015054:Zymosan; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II