Cytoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of Geriforte, a herbomineral preparation, in lymphocytes.

The study was designed to determine the cytoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of Geriforte, an indigenous herbomineral compound, using lymphocytes as a model system. The possible involvement of free radicals and the ability of Geriforte to inhibit the oxidative process induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tert-BHP) was also investigated. The production of free radicals (evaluated by fluorescent probe fluorescein-diacetate), level of malondialdehyde (MDA, as index of lipid peroxidation), and levels of anti-oxidants--reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined. There was an increase in cytotoxicity and apoptosis significantly in the presence of tert-BHP (100 microM) over control. Addition of tert-BHP resulted in a marked increase in free radical production and MDA level with a concomitant decrease in GSH level in lymphocytes. Geriforte supplementation reduced cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by tert-BHP. Further, Geriforte inhibited tert-BHP induced lipid peroxidation and maintained higher anti-oxidant levels. tert-BHP significantly inhibited the lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by mitogens (Lipopolysaccharide/Concanavalin A) and enhanced DNA fragmentation. Geriforte relieved the inhibitory effect of tert-BHP on lymphocyte proliferation and decreased DNA fragmentation appreciably. The results indicate that Geriforte possesses cytoprotective and immunomodulatory properties which could be due to its anti-oxidant activity.