title: Augmentation of humoral and cell mediated immune responses by Thujone.
abstract: Thujone, a naturally occurring monoterpene, was found to enhance the total WBC count, bone marrow cellularity, number of α-esterase positive cells, number of plaque forming cells in spleen and circulating antibody titer in Balb/c mice (1mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally for 5 days). Thujone treatment enhanced proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes, both in the presence and absence of specific mitogens. Administration of Thujone was found to stimulate the cell-mediated immunological response in normal and tumor bearing Balb/c mice. A significant enhancement in natural killer (NK) cell mediated cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent complement mediated cytotoxicity (ACC) in both normal as well as tumor-bearing animals was observed after the administration of Thujone. Production of cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-γ was significantly enhanced by the administration of Thujone. The stimulatory effect of Thujone on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation was determined by Winn's neutralization assay using CTL sensitive EL4 thymoma cells. Thujone treatment showed a significant increase in CTL production in both the in vivo and in vitro models, as indicated by a significant increase in the life span of tumor bearing animals. All these results indicate that administration of Thujone could enhance the immune response of mice. There was a significant reduction in solid tumor development, mediated by the presence of alert immune responses during Thujone administration.
authors: Department of Immunology, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Pin – 680 555, Thrissur, Kerala, India. siveenks@gmail.com
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Siveen
authors: Girija
authors: G
authors: Kuttan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004950:Esterases / Q000032:analysis; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D039821:Monoterpenes; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; C005790:beta-thujone; D004950:Esterases