Some immunological evaluations of propolis in albino male mice

Propolis is a complex resinous bee product that has a wide range of biological activities. In the present investigation, two oral doses [10 and 20 mg/kg/day] of propolis [ethanol extract] were evaluated immunologically in albino male mice [80 animals] through three types of experiments. In the first, the propolis was tested alone, while in the second and third experiments, propolis was given before and after the immune suppressive drug MMC [pre- and post treatments, respectively]. The three experiments were paralleled with three negative controls, in which the propolis was replaced with distilled water. In the first experiment, the dose 10 mg/kg of propolis enhanced the parameters investigated, and a significant increase was observed in the total count of leucocytes [10.7 vs. 7.8 x 103 cells/cu. mm. blood], lymphocytes [7.0 vs. 5.3 x 103 cells/cu.mm.blood], neutrophils [2.9 vs. 2.1 x 103 cells/cu.mm.blood], monocytes [0.5 vs. 0.3 x 103 cells/cu.mm.blood] and eosinophils [0.3 vs. 0.1 x 103 cells/cu.mm. blood], PI [15.2 vs. 10.8%], PFC [72 vs. 38%], AR [0.84 vs. 0.57 mm] and DTH [0.68 vs. 0.40] as compared to negative controls. Much more enhancements were observed in the dose 20 mg/kg. In the second and third experiments, a similar picture was drawn in the interaction of propolis [pre- and post-treatments] with MMC, in which the propolis extract was able to modulate the immune suppressive effect of MMC, and this was dependent on the type of treatment and dose, and again, the dose 20 mg/kg was more effective in this respect

Effect of continuous darkness on immune response [in vivo assay]

Reports denote that changes in day length enhance or suppress components of immune function in several mammalian species. The aim of the present experimental study is directed to test the hypothesis dealing with the effect of photoperiods on some immune limbs responsiveness. Twenty six male and female BALB/C mice, 5-7 weeks old, 14-18gm weight divided into two groups, test groups [n=8 mice for each sex] and control groups [n =5 for each sex]. Test groups were kept in a dark room for a month, while control groups were kept in a room where the photoperiod was day light: darkness 12:12hr. All studied groups immunized with 0.2ml [10% sheep red blood cells] on day 4 and 8 of the last 12 days of the experiment. The weights of all animals were measured at the beginning and the end of the experiment. Arthus reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity and serum antibody titer were assessed on day 11 and 12 of program. Significant increase [P<0.005] in body weight, index level of Arthus reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity and serum antibody titer in the test groups in comparison with the control groups were found. Data are consistent with the hypothesis that immune parameters are enhanced in short photoperiods or continuous darkness

Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract on the Immune Functions, Microbial Growth and Mutagenicity / 대한면역학회지

Scute/larisa baica/ensis (SB) has been used as a folk medicine for curing ulcer, inflammation and infection. However, surprisingly little has been done to develop and exploit SB's immunomodulating, anti- inflammatory properties. Moreover, the mechanisms of SB-action on immune function had not been elucidated. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of 5B on immune functions, microbial growth and bacterial mutagenicity. Boiling water extract of SB was used in this experiment. The proliferation response to PHA-, Con A- or LPS-stimulation and the production of Con A-induced IL-2 and LPS-induced IL-6 of splenocytes from SB-pretreated mice were significantly higher than those of splenocytes from control mice. Daily single injection of 2 mg/mouse SB for 4 days resulted in enhancement of Arthus reaction and DTH to SRBC. And these enhancements were more prominent when SB was treated prior to SRBC- sensitization. SB did inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as C. albicans, C. neoformans, E. coli S. typhimurium and this inhibiting effect was gradually increased in proportion to the increment of SB. SB also remarkably reduced the mutagenicity of mutagens such as sodium azid and benzo[a]pyrene, but this was not certain, because it showed a killing effect on the cell survival test. When SB treated mice were i.p infected with C. albicans, the number of microorganisms in the peritoneal exudates were significantly reduced. Taken together, these results revealed that SB itself has not only multiple effects on events controlling immune responses but also anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide the rational basis for their therapeutic use as one of the biological response modifiers.

Granuloma facial: Hallazgos de inmunofluorescencia directa en cuatro casos / Facial Granuloma

El granuloma facial es una entidad clínica e histológica bien definida, cuya etiología permanece desconocida. Los hallazgos por inmunofluorescencia directa de depósitos de inmunoglobulinas y complemento en las lesiones, inician un nuevo camino de investigación que aún no ha sido bien aclarado, ya que se alternan estudios positivos con otros megativos. Estudiamos 4 pacientes, 3 hombres y una mujer, con un rango de edad de 33 a 55 años; el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad osciló entre 1 y 14 años. Todos los pacientes tenían compromiso facial. Uno presentó lesiones múltiples y otro se acompañaba de lesiones extrafaciales. La inmunofluorescencia directa fue positiva en dos casos, hallando depósitos granulares de IgA en zona de membrana basal. La IgG, IgM, IgE y complemento fueron negativos en los 4 casos. Las distintas características de las inmunoglobulinas más un factor ambiental (rayos ultravioletas) u otro, llevaría a la IgA de la circulación a los tejidos. Posteriormente lo haría la IgG en la respuesta secundaria

Effect of Eveing Primrose on Plasma Cholesterol Levels and Immune Response to Sheep Erythrocytes

Evening primrose oil(EPO), which contains 72% cis-linoleic acid and 9% cisgamma linolenic acid, has been clinically used for treatment of number of diseases in human and animals. And it is also known to lower cholesterol(CHO) level of hypercholesterolaemic individuals. But the role of EPO as CHO-suppressant is controversial, and the relationship of EPO to CHO level in immune regulating activities is unclear at present. To evaluate the effect of evening primrose on the normal plasma CHO-levels, rabbits were fed with evening primrose seed(EPS) or injected with evening primrose seed-extract(EPE), and measured the plasma CHO-levels by duration of treatment. Both of EPS and EPE did not influence the plasma CHO-levels until 4 day treatment and thereafter the levels were significantly reduced. For the investigation of the EPE-effect on immune response to sheep erythrocytes(SRBC), mice were injected with EPE for 4 days before SRBC-sensitization or with CHO just before SRBC, Sensitization or with CHO in regulating effect of immune response was evaluated by the measuring the footpad swelling reaction and antibody response to SRBC. EPE itself did not influence Arthus reaction but it remarkable reduced delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) and antibody production in comparison with control. CHO slightly increased Arthus reaction and DTH, but it somewhat decreased antibody responses. However, CHO significantly recovered the EPE-induced decrement of DTH and humoral immunity. There results led to that conclusion the evening primrose triggers the decrease of plasma CHO-levels and immune responses, and suggested that the mechanisms responsible for the nonspecific immune inhibitory effect of evening primrose might be partially due to the decrement of the CHO-levels.

Immunogenic Uveitis

In the past concepts of experimental immunogenic uveitis, immediate and delayed types of hypersensitivity seemed to be fairly clear-cut phenomena. But it is now apparent that many hypersensitivity reactions are not such clear-cut, they are often mixed and a number of basic mechanisms act in the development of tissue lesion of the uvea which is a shock tissue to experimentally administered foreign proteins, autogeno us tissue, microorganism and its products. The cellular reaction in immunogenic uveitis has been studied by many investigators; Delayed Arthus reaction could be occurred by a single intravitreal injection of the foreign protein, and both antibody-mediated hypersensitivity and delayed type of hypersensitivity also contributed to the ultimate Arthus reaction. It appeared probably that the autoimmune ocular reaction and the recurrent type of uveitis were of the delayed type of hypersensitivity, Much remains unanswered. Historical review of experimental immunogenic uveitis also is presented.