title: Aqueous extract of Rhodiola imbricata rhizome stimulates Toll-like receptor 4, granzyme-B and Th1 cytokines in vitro.
abstract: Rhodiola imbricata is a medicinal plant, native to mountainous regions of Asia, parts of Europe, and the Arctic. Traditionally it is recommended to help combat fatigue and restore energy. It exhibits anti-stress, anti-cancer, and immunostimulatory activities. However, the effect of Rhodiola on immunological responses largely remains unknown. In this study, we have investigated the effect of aqueous extract of R. imbricata rhizome (RAE), on Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and intracellular granzyme-B expression in mouse splenocytes. Furthermore, TH1/TH2 cytokine profile was analyzed in RAE-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using multiplex flowcytomix kit. Our findings suggest that RAE induces TLR-4 expression and intracellular granzyme-B in treated splenocytes while RAE stimulated IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in human PBMCs. The present study suggests that RAE stimulates the innate immune pathway and has potent immunostimulatory activity, which can be used in modulating the immune system of immunocompromised individuals.
authors.affiliation: Immunomodulation Laboratory, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi 110054, India.
authors.forename: Kamla P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Lilly
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ganju
authors.forename: Sudipta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chanda
authors.forename: Dev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karan
authors.forename: Ramesh C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Sawhney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D053804:Granzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027343:Rhizome / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D029771:Rhodiola; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D010936:Plant Extracts; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D053804:Granzymes