In vivo immunomodulatory effects of aqueous extracts of Larrea divaricata Cav.
Several medicinal plants are considered immunomodulatory as they display a variety of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumoral effects. Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) (Zygophyllaceae) is a plant widely used in popular medicine to treat tumors, infections, and inflammatory diseases. So far, the immunostimulating activities of Larrea divaricata have not been studied in vivo. In this work, we used healthy mice to assess the immunomodulatory potential of aqueous extracts of Larrea divaricata Cav. We found that Decoction (D) and Infusion (I) from Larrea divaricata Cav showed any acute hepatotoxic activity. Only D at 0.5 mg/kg increased the carrageenan-induced inflammation. Macrophages harvested from treated mice showed no signs of apoptosis. These cells showed a significant increase in NO and TNF-alpha release and exhibited the strongest expression of iNOS. Decoction also increased the phagocytosis of zymosan and the binding of LPS-FITC. The expression of CD14, TLR4 and CR3 was lower in macrophages of mice treated than in controls. Thus, Larrea divaricata was able to prime Mphi in vivo and to induce full activation in vitro. Our finding contribute to characterize the biological activity of Larrea divaricata and to understand the ability of these extracts to enhance immune responses.
Davicino
Roberto
R
Area Microbiología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina.
Mattar
Aida
A
Casali
Yolanda
Y
Porporatto
Carina
C
Correa
Silvia G
SG
Micalizzi
Blas
B
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002351:Carrageenan; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D032442:Larrea / Q000737:chemistry*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger / Q000187:drug effects; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009573:Nitrites; D010936:Plant Extracts; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002351:Carrageenan; D000410:Alanine Transaminase