Evidence-based anti-viral and immunomodulatory potential of Black cumin (Nigella sativa L) in COVID-19 / Potencial antivírico e inmunomodulador en COVID-19 del comino negro (Nigella sativa L) basado en la evidencia

Currently, the whole world is facing a life-threatening novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Natural products are well-known for their potential role against viral disease, and some anti-viral agents have been developed to combat these diseases. Herein, the authors investigated the possible effects of this Holy plant Nigella sativa L. (NS), against coronavirus, using evidence-based and mechanistic approaches to conclude the immune-boosting and alleviation of respiratory systemeffects of NS. The pharmacological studies established a prominent role in treating various respiratory, immune systems, cardiovascular, skin, and gastrointestinal disorders. Literature supported the significant anti-viral role and showed an inhibitory role for NS against MHV-A59 CoV (mouse-hepatitis virus­A59) infected Hela, i.e., HeLaCEACAM1a (HeLa-epithelial carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a) cell. NS is a safe herbal product or dietary supplement and could be an effective and affordable community adjuvant treatment for coronavirus in the current scenario.

Actualmente, el mundo entero se enfrenta a una pandemia del nuevo coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) que amenaza la vida. Los productos naturales son bien conocidos por su papel potencial contra las enfermedades virales, y se han desarrollado algunos agentes antivirales para combatir estas enfermedades. En este documento, los autores investigaron los posibles efectos de esta planta sagrada Nigella sativa L. (NS), contra el coronavirus, utilizando enfoques mecanicistas y basados en la evidencia para concluir el refuerzo inmunológico y el alivio de los efectos del SN en el sistema respiratorio. Los estudios farmacológicos establecieron un papel destacado en el tratamiento de diversos trastornos respiratorios, del sistema inmunológico, cardiovasculares, cutáneos y gastrointestinales. La literatura apoyó el importante papel antivírico y mostró un papel inhibidor de NS contra células Hela infectadas con MHV-A59 CoV (virus de la hepatitis de ratón-A59), es decir, HeLaCEACAM1a (molécula de adhesión celular 1a relacionada con el antígeno carcinoembrionario epitelial de HeLa). NS es un producto a base de hierbas o un suplemento dietético seguro y podría ser un tratamiento adyuvante comunitario eficaz y asequible para el coronavirus en el escenario actual.

Comparative immunomodulation potential of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. F., Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merrill and Tinospora cordifolia growing on Azadirachta indica A. Juss.

Guduchi has been widely used in the traditional medicine as an immunomodulator. Description of guduchi in Ayurvedic literature resemble with T. sinensis rather than with commonly available T. cordifolia and hence this may be used as substitutes for T. sinensis. T. cordifolia growing on Azadirachta indica commonly called Neem-guduchi has more immunomodulatory potential. Thus, immunomodulatory activity of three Tinospora spp. was assessed by checking humoral and cell mediated immune responses to the antigenic challenges with sheep RBCs and by neutrophil adhesion tests on albino Wistar rats using Guduchi-Satwa, a well known dosage form. Results revealed that Neem-guduchi possesses higher immunomodulatory potential at the dose of 300 mg/kg, po and validated the traditional claim. Hence, Neem-Guduchi can be employed in immunomodulatory formulation prepared using guduchi.

Immune enhancement activities of silk lutein extract from Bombyx mori cocoons

BACKGROUND: Declining immune function poses an important clinical challenge worldwide and supplementation with natural products that possessing immune enhancing properties is a promising approach for preventing or delaying immune function decline. Cocoons from yellow silkworms are a significant source of lutein, and this unexplored silk extract could be a viable alternative source for dietary lutein. This study assessed immunomodulatory activities of the silk lutein extract. Female BALB/c mice orally received lutein, either as silk or marigold extracts (10 or 20 mg/kg daily), or vehicle only (1% tween 80 in PBS pH 7.4) for 4 weeks. Natural killer (NK) cell activity, specific antibody production, lymphocyte subpopulations, mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine production were examined. RESULTS: Silk lutein extract increased NK cell activity, and the effect was dose-related whereas marigold lutein extract was ineffective. Silk lutein extract dose-dependently enhanced antibody production in pre-immunized mice but marigold lutein extract had no effect. Feeding with silk lutein extract increased the populations of CD3+ and CD4 + CD3 + cells. Silk lutein extract also stimulated concanavalin A- and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferations of T and B lymphocytes, respectively. Moreover, silk lutein extract increased IL-2 and IFN-γ production while the effect of marigold lutein extract was undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: Together, silk lutein extract enhanced both innate and adaptive immune functions. This preparation may prove to be an effective supplement for strengthened immunity.

Some biochemical and immunological changes associated with use of garlic extract [allicin] in combating some fish pathogens

We studied the effects of garlic [allicin] which used as immunostimulant on some physiological, biochemical parameters, survival rate, histopathological studies and bacteriological characteristics of sea bream. Fish [50 +/- 5 g/fish] were assigned to 3 treatments, with three replicates each. Treatment groups had a different level of allicin [Garlen[registered]], [1 and 2 gm. /kg feed] added to their diets; the control group diet was free from garlic. Diets also contained 25% crude protein [CP] and were administered at a rate of 3% live body weight twice daily for 8 weeks. At the end of 7[th] week ten fish from each treatment group and from the control were artificially infected by intra peritoneal injection with 0.2 ml of culture suspension of pathogenic Vibrio alginolyticus previously adjusted to 10[4]. Results showed that the differential leucocytic count, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, serum lysozomal and bactericidal activity increased significantly with increasing levels of allicin. Plasma Cortisol level decreased significantly with increasing levels of allicin. Total protein and globulin were also increased significantly in the treated groups than the control group. All bacterial counts decreased significantly in treated groups than the control in all weeks. Treated groups had lower mortality rate than the control group during the challenge test. Histopathological studies of control group revealed congestion in blood vessel of gills, liver, spleen and kidney with, hyperplasia of epithelial cells between secondary lamellae led to fusion, edema and lifting of the lamellar epithelium of secondary lamellae in gills, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, with infiltration by monocytes in liver, dilation of blood vessel, severe depletion of white bulb, edema, and hyperactivation of melanomacrophage center in spleen, necrosis of renal tubules epithelium, and inter renal haemopoietic tissues with atrophied glomerular tuft and widening of bowman capsules in kidney. Moderate to minimal histopathological changes appeared in all organs in groups received [Garlen[registered]] according to its dose

Frequency of sensitivity to Parthenium hysterophorus in patients with chronic extensive eczematous eruption

Eczema is a pruritic skin disorder of exogenous or endogenous nature. Allergic contact dermatitis is of exogenous nature and can be caused by many allergens including plants. In this quasi-experimental study, 50 patients presenting with extensive eczematous eruption were enrolled. They were patch tested with fresh crushed extract of flowers of Parthenium hysterophorus. Three patch test readings were taken at 48 hours, 72 hours and 120 hours. Patch test readings were read according to ICDRG criteria. Forty four [88%] out of 50 enrolled patients were male while 6 [12%] were female with male to female ratio of 7.3:1. Average age of the patients was 56.8 years with S.D +/- 12.6 years. Fifty four percent of enrolled patients showed positive patch test reactions to fresh crushed extract of flowers of P. hysterophorus with a male to female ratio of 5.7:1. P. hysterophorus is a leading cause of extensive eczematous eruption of exogenous type in a specific group of patients

Effect of Gamiseunggal-Tang on immediate type allergic reaction in mice.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The herbal formulation, Gamiseunggal-Tang (G-Tang) has long been used for various allergic diseases. The mechanism of its action is largely unknown. We carried out this study to determine the effect of G-Tang on the mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions in vivo and in vitro murine models. METHODS: In this study, the effects of G-Tang on the mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions were examined by using the ear swelling, histamine assay, and ELISA method in murine model. RESULTS: Anal administration of G-Tang showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity on the compound 48/80-induced ear swelling response (P<0.05) and histamine release (P<0.01). G-Tang (0.001-0.1 g/kg) significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (P<0.05) in mice. The production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was also significantly inhibited (about 47.4%, at 0.1 mg/ml, P<0.01) by treatment of G-tang in anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibodystimulated mast cells. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Findings of our study showed that G-Tang inhibited immediate type allergic reaction in a murine model and may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.

Humoral and cellular immune responses induced in mice by purified iridoid mixture that inhibits penetration of schistosoma mansoni cercariae upon topical treatment of mice tails

When tested for possible blocking effect on the cercarial, serine proteinase, elastase [CE] activity, an iridoid mixture extracted from leaves of Citharexylum quadrangular abolished 31% of the enzyme activity at final concentration l5 micro g. When formulated in jojoba oil and applied to mice tails followed by infection with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae, the iridoid mixture blocked cercarial penetration and caused significant reducetion [94%; P < 0.05] in worm burden in treated mice in comparison to controls. Also, immunomodulatory effects of iridoid mixture, iridoid-treated S. mansoni worm homogenate on mice were studied by measuring IgG and IgM levels against E. coil lysates [ECL], solube S. mansoni worm antigenic preparation [SWAP] and cancer bladder homogenates [CBH] as antigens by ELISA. Cellular immune responses were studied by calculating mean percent of CD4+, CD8 +/- T, B-mesenteric lymph node cells [MLNC] and CD4+, CD8 +/- T thymocytes by direct immuno-fluorescence staining in treated mice as compared to untreated homogenate given mice or untreated mice. Injecting mice with serial dilutions of iridoid mixture resulted in fluctuation, peaks and troughs, in both IgG and IgM responses against the above mentioned antigens. lst and 2nd immunizations with iridoid mixture treated homogenate resulted in significantly elevated [P < 0.05]. 1gM and IgG levels against the 3 used antigens in comparison with sera from control mice. Immunized mice with homogenate treated with iridoid mixture showed a significant increase [P < 0.05] in CD4+T thymocytes, a non significant increase in CD8+T thymocytes, a significant increase [P<0.05] in CD4+T lymphocytes [MLNC] and a non significant increase in CD8+T- and B-lymphocytes [MLNC] compared with mice immunized with untreated homogenate or non-injected normal mice

A comparison study on allergen components between Korean (Arachis fastigiata Shinpung) and American peanut (Arachis hypogaea Runner)

The prevalence of peanut allergy in Korea is lower than in America. Peanut extract allergens between the two countries have not been standardized. This study was performed to compare the allergenicity of raw Korean and American peanuts with that of roasted peanuts. We prepared the peanut extracts in Korean raw (KP) and roasted peanuts (KRP), and also in American raw (AP) and roasted (ARP) peanuts. We compared the peanut extract allergens of KP, KRP, AP and ARP in vitro with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by immunoblotting, T-cell proliferation assay and skin prick test with sera from peanut-allergic patients. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting demonstrated four allergenic extracts, numerous bands that displayed a high prevalence of IgE binding. IgE-binding bands were at 64, 36 and 17 kDa. Western blot inhibition revealed that either KP or AP could almost completely inhibit the reactivity of the other extract. There were no differences between T-cell proliferation assay and skin prick test. In conclusion, this investigation showed no different allergic components in both raw and roast extracts of Korean and American peanuts.

Nuevas fuentes de lectinas para la diferenciación entre Trypanosoma cruzi y T. rangeli / Further sources of lectins for differentiation between Trypanosoma cruzi y T. rangeli

Os extratos de 176 espécies de sementes de plantas colombianas, correspondentes a 49 famílias e 147 gêneros foram testados para detectar a presença de aglutininas frente a hemácias humanas dos grupos A+, B+, O+ e de cachorro, cavalo e coelho. Os extratos que apresentaram alguma atividade hemaglutinante, foram usados para testar a aglutinaçao de Trypanosoma cruzi e T. rangeli. Além disso, a hemolinfa de 16 espécies nativas de invertebrados foram testadas nas mesmas condiçoes. Diluiçoes seriadas dos extratos foram usadas para as aglutinaçoes. Ambas epimastigotas de T. cruzi e T. rangeli foram aglutinadas com os extratos de sete sementes de plantas diferentes e com dois tipos de hemolinfa de invertebrados. As sementes de cinco plantas aglutinaram exclusivamente as epimastigotas de T. cruzi podendo assim ser usadas para a diferenciaçao entre as formas de cultura desses tripanossomos. A secreçao do pulmao do caramujo (Bulimus sp.) lisou completamente as epimastigotas de T. cruzi mas nao afetou as formas de T. rangeli. Nao foram encontrados extratos que aglutinaram ou lisaram exclusivamente as epimastigotas de T. rangeli.

Immunopharmacological studies on picrorhiza kurroa Royle-Ex-Benth. Part V: Anti-inflammatory action: relation with cell types involved in inflammation.

Relative importance of various cells involved in inflammation and in anti-inflammatory action of P. kurroa extract (PK) was investigated in albino rats. Effects of chemical depletion of macrophages and polymorphs and a functional deprivement of mast cells and platelets were examined on carrageenin induced pedal inflammation as well as on anti-inflammatory effect of PK treatment in this test. Such depletions/functional deprivements altered the inflammatory response in conformity with the known role of these cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of PK treatment was counteracted at 1 hr, 3 hr and 5 hr post-insult intervals by mast cell, neutrophil and macrophage depletion respectively. Manipulation of platelets was without effect.

An investigation on in vivo allergenicity of Artemisia annua leaves and stems.

Pollen of Artemisia annua is considered to be one of the most important allergens in autumnal hay fever in China, just as ragweed is in North America. In order to clarify the allergenicity of non-pollen containing components of the plant, Artemisia annua leaves and stems were collected and extracted before pollination time. The extracts of these pollen-free plant components were studied for allergenic activities using skin prick tests, intradermal tests, intranasal challenge and bronchial provocation tests. In 52 subjects sensitive to Artemisia pollen, 92.3% gave positive responses in skin prick tests, 100% gave positive responses in intradermal tests, 66.7% gave positive responses in intranasal challenge and 59.3% gave positive responses in bronchial provocation tests. Negative results to skin prick tests, intradermal tests and bronchial provocation tests were revealed in 30 seasonal asthmatics who gave negative responses to the pollen skin tests. Strict placebo control showed all negative tests in non-atopic adult human volunteers. We concluded that pollen-free plant extracts did have in vivo allergenic activities. Analysis of the plant allergenic components in vitro will be the subject of further studies.

Colonización de Lu. Gomezi : (Diptera : Psychodidae) y su capacidad de picada frente a extractos de plantas Momordica charantica y Genipa americana como repelentes

Tiene como propósito colonizar Lutzomyia gomezi (Nitzulesiu, 1931), especie antropofílica en la República de Panamá y vector de leishmaniasis. Se utilizó el Método Chaniotis (1975, 1986). Se logró obtaner 9 generaciones sucesivas de Lu. gomezi, lo que probó que este método sirve para otras especies del género Lutzomyia, además de Lu. trapidoi probada en 1975 y 1986. Indica que el Método Chaniotis (1986) se modificó con la utilización de envases plásticos desechables y el uso de Mycostatin para controlar el crecimiento del hongo. Señala además que se establecen las ventajas y desventajas del Método Chaniotis modificado y se compara con el Método de Hertig & Johnson (1961) y el Método Chaniotis (1975, 1986)

El tabaquismo y el sistema inmune: II. La producción del factor inhibidor de la migración celular en presencia de extracto de tabaco como antígeno, en pacientes con asma bronquial extrínseca / Smoking and the immune system: II. The production of the inhibitor factor of cellular migration in tobacco extract as antigen in patients with extrinsic asthma

Se estudiaron 112 sujetos: 35 no fumadores, 45 fumadores y 32 pacientes con asma bronquial extrínseca. A todos ellos se les hizo la prueba de MIF con extracto de tabaco a las diluciones: 1:10, 1:100 y 1:1000. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa a la dilución 1:10 y 1:100. A la dilución 1:10 la positividad fue de 77.14 por ciento en los no fumadores, de 88.89 por ciento en los fumadores y 93.75 por ciento en los asmáticos. A la dilución 1:100 la positividad fue de 54.29 por ciento en los no fumadores, de 71.11 por ciento en los fumadores y de 75 por ciento en los asmáticos. Los resultados sugieren que la mayor parte de la población mexicana adulta, fumadores y no fumadores, se encuentran sensibilizados al inmunógeno del tabaco, en especial los pacientes con asma bronquial extrínseca

Atividade antimicrobiana em xantonas / Antimycrobial activity in xanthones

Cerca de treze xantonas isoladas de duas espécies do gênero Haploclathra foram submetidos à açäo de microorganismos-teste. Foram eleitos um fungo (Thielaviopsis paradoxa), uma bactéria Gram-positiva (Corynebacterium michiganense pv michiganense) e uma bactéria Gram-negativa (Pseudomonas syringae pv pisi). Nenhuma das xantonas testadas apresentou resultados positivos na inibiçäo do crescimento dos microorganismos em questäo.

Estudo da atividade antimicrobiana de extrato de folha de Aristolochia gigantea Mart e Zucc / Study of the antimycrobial activity of extracts from the leaves of Aristolochia gigantea Mart and Zucc

Foram investigadas as atividades antibacteriana e antifúngica dos extratos éter de petróleo e alcaloídico de folhas de Aristolochia gigantea Mart e Zucc, pelo método de difusäo em agar. O extrato éter de petróleo mostrou atividade contra uma bactéria Gram-positiva. O extrato alcaloídico apresentou atividade contra duas bactérias Gram-positivas. Uma Gram-negativa, näo apresentando qualquer atividade antifúngica.