Potential of the Cnidium monnieri fruits as an immune enhancer in Escherichia coli infection model.
OBJECTIVE
The Cnidium monnieri fruits (CMF) were studied how they act on immune system as a novel immunostimulator against the infectious disease.


METHODS
Macrophages were treated with CMF, and nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured, and phagocytosis of macrophages was detected using FITC-labelled Escherichia coli. The protective effect of CMF against E. coli infection in mice was examined. The survival rate was monitored daily for up to 5 days. And then the viable bacteria count of serum and the immunological mediator (NO, TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-6) of serum, splenocyte and peritoneal macrophages were analysed.


RESULTS
The CMF significantly enhanced the concentrations of NO and TNF-α and the phagocytosis activity in macrophages. The oral administration of CMF for five consecutive days before infection prolonged the survival rate. Treatment with CMF significantly stimulated the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages and induced the immunological mediator of serum, splenocyte and peritoneal macrophages against the E. coli infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The host-protective effects of CMF might be archived by improving immune response, and CMF could act to prevent pathogenic microbial infections with immunomodulation.
Department of Pharmacology, Dandaki Medical College, Pokhara, Nepal.|Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Korea.
Bindu
B
Malla
Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Korea.
Bo Yoon
BY
Chang
College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
Seon Beom
SB
Kim
College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Korea.
Hyun
H
Park
College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
Mi Kyeong
MK
Lee
Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Korea. sungykim@wonkwang.ac.kr.
Sung Yeon
SY
Kim
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D031048:Cnidium / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D000067996:RAW 264.7 Cells; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C577686:interleukin-6, mouse; D018664:Interleukin-12; D009569:Nitric Oxide
Cnidium monnieri fructus; immunomodulator; infectious disease; macrophage