Evaluation of the immunomodulatory properties in mice and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of cycloartane type saponins from Astragalus species

WOS: 000302505900035PubMed ID: 22155389Ethnopharmacological relevance: Astragalus roots are used to treat leukemia and for their wound healing properties in Southeast Anatolia-Turkey. Materials and methods: In vivo studies to investigate the effects of two Astragalus saponins were carried out on the immune response cytokines by using six to eight weeks old male Swiss albino mice. The production of IL-1 beta, TGF-1 beta, INF-alpha, IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma cytokines was determined by ELISA. The spleen and lymph nodes, isolated from the mice subjects, were analyzed to realize induction of the surface antigen productions for IL-2R alpha (CD25) and CD69. In addition, their effects on the targets of inflammation such as NF kappa B, iNOS and NAG-1 were investigated in cell-based assays. Results: The results suggested that AST VII and Mac B had positive effect on Th1 cytokine release (IL-2 and IFN-gamma), and suppression on Th2 cytokine production (IL-4). The immunohistochemical results exhibited induction of both IL-R alpha (CD25) and CD69 surface receptors justifying the Th1 cytokine release. The compounds did not affect NF-kappa B or NAG-1 activity but iNOS activity was inhibited by Mac B with an IC50 of 156 mu g/ml. Conclusions: The results show that Ast VII and Mac B create powerful immunoregulatory effects without the stimulation of inflammatory cytokines in mice, and have no significant effect on the inflammatory cellular targets in vitro. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Near East University, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, CyprusNear East University; Ege University, School of MedicineEge University; The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109T637]; Ege University Science-Technology Application and Research Center (EBILTEM)Ege University [2010/BIL/016]We thank Dr. Ihsan Calls from Near East University, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Cyprus for his scientific support for the isolation of Mac B. We also thank Dr. Meral Baka from Ege University, School of Medicine for her scientific support. Special thanks to Belgin Halm Terzi and Erdinc Yilmaz for technical assistance in histology laboratory procedures.; This work was financially supported in part by a grant from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project No: 109T637), and Ege University Science-Technology Application and Research Center (EBILTEM, Project No: 2010/BIL/016)