Effects of Saussurea lappa roots extract in ethanol on leukocyte phagocytic activity, lymphocyte proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).

Effects of Saussurea lappa root extracts prepared in ethanol according to the homeopathic principles were assessed on leukocyte phagocytic activity, lymphocyte transformation and mitogen-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of goats (PBMC) in vitro. Leukocyte phagocytic activity was measured by flow cytometry, lymphocyte proliferation by MTT and IFN-gamma level in cell culture supernatants was determined by ELISA. The results obtained demonstrated that all test dilutions (D4, D6, D8) of Saussurea lappa in ethanol have exerted a stimulating effect on leukocyte phagocytic activity in dose-dependent manner. A 10 microl dose of Saussurea lappa of each dilution markedly enhanced phagocytic activity, while other doses tested made only a feeble stimulating effect. The increases with 10 microl dose were found significantly (P<0.01) different between each dilution, maximal stimulation was observed by D8 dilution. Different doses (10 microl, 2 microl, 1 microl, 0.5 microl) of all test dilutions (D4, D6, D8) of Saussurea lappa in sterile 0.9% NaCl solution inhibited lymphocyte proliferation. Maximal inhibitory effect was observed with the 2 microl dose. Similarly, Saussurea lappa suppressed the secretion of IFN-gamma by mitogen-activated (PHA; 2.5 microg/ml) of peripheral mononuclear cells in dose-dependent manner. In conclusion these findings suggest that enhanced leukocyte phagocytic activity may be helpful to clear the soluble immune complexes produced during a sustained immune response against self antigens which causes chronic inflammatory injury of tissue. On the other hand, inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma by Saussurea lappa may contribute to suppress immune-mediated inflammatory reactions possibly through a cell-mediated cytokine pathway. Thus it is concievable that ethanolic extracts of Saussurea lappa roots in homeopathetic dilutions may be considered as a potential candidate for therapeutic support in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.