Immunosuppressive effects of Echinodorus macrophyllus aqueous extract.
Echinodorus macrophyllus is a medicinal plant, popularly known in Brazil as "chapéu de couro", used to treat rheumatic diseases, which are usually characterized by exacerbated T and B lymphocyte response. We have evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of Echinodorus macrophyllus (AEEm) on these cell functions, proliferation, and nitric oxide production. Mice treated orally for 7 days with AEEm had inhibited B cell antibody production (0.5mg/kg b.w.) and delayed type hypersensitivity (0.5 and 5mg/kg b.w.) mediated by T cells, reducing subcutaneous tissue leukocyte infiltration. AEEm inhibited, in vitro, NO production by stimulating J774 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with no cytotoxicity. We have demonstrated, for the first time, its immunosuppressive effect. This immunosuppressive effect supports a potential therapeutic use of AEEm to control exacerbated humoral and/or cellular immune response, as in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. However, it is important to be cautious about its indiscriminate popular use to avoid side effects, mainly in immunodeficiency diseases.
Pinto
Amanda Chaves
AC
Departamento de Bioquímica, do Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Rego
Giselle Cristine Gonçalves
GC
Siqueira
Alessandra Mendonça
AM
Cardoso
Cynthia Chester
CC
Reis
Patrícia Alves
PA
Marques
Elizabeth Andrade
EA
Coelho
Marsen Garcia Pinto
MG
de Carvalho Sabino
Kátia Costa
KC
D034901:Alismataceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water