The Immunomodulatory Activity of Some Maltese Medicinal Plants: Tradition, Science and Future Prospects | Chapter 5 | Trends in Pharmaceutical Research and Development Vol. 1
Aims:
To review previous studies conducted on some Maltese medicinal plants for their
immunomodulatory effects on lymphocytes. Methodology: Human peripheral
lymphocytes were obtained from the whole blood of human healthy volunteers.
Several extracts were obtained from Olea europea L., Ephedra fragilis Desf.,
Aster squamatus (Sprengel) Hieron., Glebionis coronaria (L.) Tzvelev, Calendula
arvensis L., Carlina involucrata Poir., Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter,
Galactites tomentosa Moench, Inula crithmoides L., Leontodon tuberosus L.,
Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, Sonchus oleraceus L. and Ecballium elaterium
(L.) A. Rich. These extracts, pure metabolites and phytohaemagglutinin were
tested on both resting and stimulated lymphocytes. The blastogenic transformation
was monitored by morphological observations and biochemical tests using the
WST-1 tetrazolium reagent and the LDH cytotoxicity assay. Results: This current
study collates all previous studies. Most of the extracts tested exhibited
lymphocyte activation, with the blastogenic transformation. Some extracts
exhibited comparable activity to that of PHA. Metabolites showing such effects
include oleuropein, ephedrine, cucurbitacin E and flavonoids. Extensive
research on cucurbitacin E reveals that, in lymphocyte-cancer cell cocultures,
this metabolite induces lymphocyte activation, which in turn provokes cytotoxic
effect on cancer cells. Conclusion: The effects of extracts on the lymphocytes
was exhibited by several extracts. In the case of oleuropein, ephedrine and
cucurbitacin E, the relationship between structure and function can be deduced.
However, the extracts from the Asteraceae family contained flavonoids, but no
further chemical characterization was carried out. This review recommends
further chemical characterization of the extracts and in depth analysis of the
mechanisms for lymphocyte activation by plant metabolites. On the other hand,
this study shows the potential use of these extracts to boost the immune
system, alongside chemotherapeutic agents.
Author(s) Details
Ms. Tamara Attard
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
Prof. Everaldo Attard
Division of Rural Sciences and Food Systems, Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
View Book: - http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/156
Author(s) Details
Ms. Tamara Attard
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
Prof. Everaldo Attard
Division of Rural Sciences and Food Systems, Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
View Book: - http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/156
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