title: In vitro immunomodulatory properties of a sesquiterpene lactone-bearing fraction from Artemisia khorassanica.
abstract: Artemisia species are important medicinal plants throughout the world. The present in vitro study, using a sesquiterpene lactone-bearing fraction prepared from Artemisia khorassanica (SLAK), sought to investigate immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory properties of this plant and elucidate potential underlying mechanisms for the actions. Effects of the SLAK on mitogen-induced murine splenocyte proliferation and interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion were evaluated. To assess anti-inflammatory activities, levels of inducible of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in peritoneal macrophages was examined. The results showed that SLAK noticeably was capable of suppressing PHA/LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and of up-regulating production of the T-helper (TH)-2 cell cytokine IL-4 while down-regulating formation of TH1 IFNγ. In addition, while SLAK caused negligible proliferation inhibition, peritoneal macrophages displayed considerable decrease in NO and PGE2 production along with iNOS and COX-2 expression. The current experiment shows Artemisia khorasanica - a traditionally used herb - may have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. It is anticipated that the ingredients may be employed as therapeutic candidates in the regulation of some immune responses implicated in various conditions and ailments.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, School of Medicine .
authors.forename: Shahrzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zamanai Taghizadeh Rabe
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iranshahi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rastin
authors.forename: Nafise
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabasi
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019306:Artemisia / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007783:Lactones; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D015847:Interleukin-4; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Artemisia khorassanica; balb/c mice; peritoneal macrophage; splenocyte