Effect of Biomodulina-T® and VA-MENGOC-BC® on lymphocyte subpopulations in older adults.

INTRODUCTION: The elderly population suffers from the natural process called immunosenescence, which may be related to the high mortality rates it has against the SARS-CoV2 virus, which is why therapies that improve the immune status are required. The combined treatment of the VA-MENGOC-BC® (V-BC) vaccine and the Biomodulina T® (BT) drug could achieve this purpose. This treatment could immunomodulate both the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system simultaneously. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of BT and V-BC on the immunomodulation of lymphocyte subpopulations in older adults. METHODS: Our study was carried out in 30 apparently healthy Cuban adults over 65 years of age. The study included three groups of 10 subjects per treatment: a combination of both and the monotherapies. Before and 7 days after treatment, 2 mL of peripheral blood was drawn from each subject. Multiparametric flow cytometry was used to identify lymphocyte subpopulations. For the comparison between the groups, point estimates and the confidence intervals of the Odds Ratio were made. RESULTS: We found that subpopulations of B lymphocytes and natural cytotoxic T (NKT) cells increased only with the administration of BT. Additionally, combination treatments and V-BC did not generate statistically significant immunomodulatory changes in any of the studied lymphocyte subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS: BT presented an immunoenhancing effect on the B and NKT lymphocyte subpopulations of older adults. The three-dose treatment scheme a novel and specific treatment strategy for this formulation. We also were verified that the combined application of V-BC and BT did not have the expected benefits. All these findings suggest that BT administration is a promising approach for immune restoration and to offering protection in elderly patients against COVID-19.

Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang) and mangiferin reduce the airway inflammation and Th2 cytokines in murine model of allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to study the effects of Mangifera indica extract and its major component mangiferin on lung inflammation response and Th2 cytokine production using a murine experimental model of allergic asthma. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with 10 µg of ovoalbumin (OVA) adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide on days 0, 7 and 14. Seven days after the last injection, the mice were challenged with 2% aerosolized OVA inhalation for 30 min beginning on day 21 and continuing until day 24. To evaluate the protective effect, mice were orally treated with M. indica extract (50, 100 or 250 mg/kg) or mangiferin (50 mg/kg) from days 0 to 24. Anti-OVA immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were determined by ELISA and lungs were analysed by histology. KEY FINDINGS: M. indica extract and mangiferin produced a marked reduction of airway inflammation around vessels and bronchi, inhibition of IL-4 and IL-5 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lymphocyte culture supernatant, IgE levels and lymphocyte proliferation. CONCLUSION: This is the first pre-clinical report of the anti-inflammatory properties of M. indica extract and mangiferin in experimental asthma and it could be an important part of pre-clinical requirement necessary for its use to complement the treatment of this complex disease.

Anti-allergic properties of Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang) and contribution of its glucosylxanthone mangiferin.

Vimang is the brand name of formulations containing an extract of Mangifera indica L., ethnopharmacologically used in Cuba for the treatment of some immunopathological disorders, including bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases. However, the effects of Vimang on allergic response have not been reported until now. In this study, the effects of Vimang and mangiferin, a C-glucosylxanthone isolated from the extract, on different parameters of allergic response are reported. Vimang and mangiferin showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of IgE production in mice and anaphylaxis reaction in rats, histamine-induced vascular permeability and the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 from rat mast cells, and of lymphocyte proliferative response as evidence of the reduction of the amount of B and T lymphocytes able to contribute to allergic response. In these experiments, ketotifen, promethazine and disodium cromoglicate were used as reference drugs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Vimang had an effect on an in-vivo model of inflammatory allergy mediated by mast cells. These results constitute the first report of the anti-allergic properties of Vimang on allergic models, as well as suggesting that this natural extract could be successfully used in the treatment of allergic disorders. Mangiferin, the major compound of Vimang, contributes to the anti-allergic effects of the extract.