title: Dichloromethane extract of Dicerocaryum senecioides leaves exhibits remarkable anti-inflammatory activity in human T-lymphocytes.
abstract: The leaves of Dicerocaryum senecioides are used in South Africa as a traditional remedy for many ailments, including inflammatory disorders. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of a dichloromethane extract of D. senecioides leaves. Methanol extracts of the leaves were sub-fractionated with dichloromethane and the anti-inflammatory potential of this fraction investigated according to its effects on the mitogen-induced proliferative responses and cytokine profiles of isolated human blood mononuclear leucocytes (MNL). The cells were pre-treated with the extract (25-100 microg mL(-1)) followed by addition of the mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA, 5 microg mL(-1) final), and measurement of lymphocyte activation and proliferation, using flow cytometric detection of up-regulation of expression of CD25 and incorporation of radiolabelled thymidine into newly synthesised DNA, respectively. Cytokine production by unstimulated and PHA-activated cells was measured using multiplex suspension bead array technology. Treatment of cells with the Dicerocaryum extract resulted in dose-related inhibition of PHA-activated lymphocyte proliferation and expression of CD25, as well as decreased production of Th1 (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and Th2 (IL-10) cytokines. These observations not only underscore the anti-inflammatory potential of components of Dicerocaryum leaves, but also provide a basis for future definitive studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo (Turfloop campus), Sovenga, South Africa.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Madiga
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cockeran
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mokgotho
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Mampuru
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D029601:Pedaliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D010936:Plant Extracts