Alterations in the function of circulating mononuclear cells derived from patients with Crohn's disease treated with mastic.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of mastic administration on cytokine production of circulating mononuclear cells of patients with active Crohn's disease (CD).


METHODS
The study was conducted in patients with established mildly to moderately active CD, attending the outpatient clinics of the hospital, and in healthy controls. Recruited to a 4 wk treatment with mastic caps (6 caps/d, 0.37 g/cap) were 10 patients and 8 controls, all of who successfully completed the protocol. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH) were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and after treatment.


RESULTS
Treating CD patients with mastic resulted in the reduction of TNF-alpha secretion (2.1 +/- 0.9 ng/mL vs 0.5 +/- 0.4 ng/mL, P = 0.028). MIF release was significantly increased (1.2 +/- 0.4 ng/mL vs 2.5 +/- 0.7 ng/mL, P = 0.026) meaning that random migration and chemotaxis of monocytes/macrophages was inhibited. No significant changes were observed in IL-6, MCP-1 and GSH concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that mastic acts as an immunomodulator on PBMC, acting as a TNF-alpha inhibitor and a MIF stimulator. Although further double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in a large number of patients is required to clarify the role of this natural product, this finding provides strong evidence that mastic might be an important regulator of immunity in CD.
Kaliora
Andriana-C
AC
Department of Science of Dietetics-Nutrition, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou ave., Kallithea 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr
Stathopoulou
Maria-G
MG
Triantafillidis
John-K
JK
Dedoussis
George-Vz
GV
Andrikopoulos
Nikolaos-K
NK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D027927:Pistacia; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D012116:Resins, Plant; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D005978:Glutathione