Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Lantana grisebachii Stuck Against Bioaccumulated Arsenic-Induced Oxidative and Lipid Dysfunction in Rat Splenocytes.

Arsenic (As) is a worldwide immunotoxic agent that is in contaminated waters and consumed by mammals. Phytotherapy may counteract its harmful effects. Lantana grisebachii Stuck (LG, Verbenaceae) and its extract are proposed as protective, given vvits in vitro bioactivity. The aim was to determine the protective capacity of the aqueous LG extract on splenocytes exposed in vivo to arsenic. Splenocytes were obtained from an arsenicosis model (Wistar rats consuming orally 0 [control; C] or 5 mg/Kg/d of As) that received 0-100 mg/Kg/d of LG extract for 30 days. As content (total reflection X-ray fluorescence), fatty acid profile (gas chromatography), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity (Szasz method), peroxides (xylenol orange-based assay), and nitrites (Griess reaction) were then assayed in viable splenocytes. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and the Tukey's test (p < .05). It was observed that the splenocytes contained 2.2 mg/Kg of this elemental arsenic. With γ-glutamyl transpeptidase inhibition and consequent triggering of hydroperoxides (p < .05), it was observed to increase saturated fatty acids and alter lipid profiles. LG treatment avoided damaging effects with values similar to unexposed C (p < .05), and cellular arsenic concentration (p < .0001). In conclusion, the aqueous extract of L. grisebachii counteracted arsenic toxicity in rat splenocytes by preventing its cellular accumulation and induction of lipid and redox disturbances, which may impair immune function.

Development of an Antioxidant Phytoextract of Lantana grisebachii with Lymphoprotective Activity against In Vitro Arsenic Toxicity.

Phytochemicals have been presumed to possess prophylactic and curative properties in several pathologies, such as arsenic- (As-) induced immunosuppression. Our aim was to discover a lymphoprotective extract from Lantana grisebachii Stuck. (Verbenaceae) (LG). We assessed its bioactivity and chemical composition using cell-based assays. Fractions produced from a hexane extract acutely induced nitrite formation in T-activated cell cultures (P < 0.0001). Water extraction released a fraction lacking nitrite inducing activity in both lymphocyte types. Aqueous LG was found to be safe in proliferated and proliferating cells. The infusion-derived extract presented better antioxidant capacity in proportion to phenolic amount in lymphocytes (infusive LG-1i at 100 µ g/mL), which protected them against in vitro As-induced lymphotoxicity (P < 0.0001). This infusive LG phytoextract contained 10.23 ± 0.43 mg/g of phenolics, with 58.46% being flavonoids. Among the phenolics, the only predominant compound was 0.723 mg of chlorogenic acid per gram of dry plant, in addition to 10 unknown minor compounds. A fatty acid profile was assessed. It contained one-third of saturated fatty acids, one-third of ω 9, followed by ω 6 (~24%) and ω 3 (~4%), and scarce ω 7. Summing up, L. grisebachii was a source of bioactive and lymphoprotective compounds, which could counteract As-toxicity. This supports its phytomedical use and research in order to reduce As-related dysfunctions.

Arsenic immunotoxicity and immunomodulation by phytochemicals: potential relations to develop chemopreventive approaches.

Arsenic (As) contaminates drinking water worldwide, and As exposure, hypersensitivity and deficiency are involved in the immunopathogenesis of various health problems. Its chemoprevention thus has a high health impact. Given its oxidative potential, antioxidant compounds are good candidates to counteract arsenic's deleterious effects on humans. Phytochemicals (e.g., phenolics, carotenoids, etc.) act through free radical chelation activity and regulation of cellular targets. Consequently, they are appropriate for developing anti-As strategies derived from plants, and Argentinean flora is rich in useful species. Several molecular pathways involved in immune regulation are at the same time targets of exogenous agents, and oxidative stress itself is a modulating phenomenon of immunity. Since xenohormesis has been described as the organic enhancement of resistance to stress conditions (e.g., oxidation, pollution, etc.) by consuming xenobiotics, immunoxenohormesis implies also defense improvement. This review focuses on recent patents on the development of vegetable redox-related immunomodulating agents, which might be applied in As-induced dysfunctions, with their scientific basis being reviewed.