Effect of Cleome arabica leaf extract treated by naringinase on human neutrophil chemotaxis.

The leaves of Cleome arabica L. (Capparaceae), which contain a number of glucosylated and rhamnosylated flavonols, possess anti-inflammatory activity and are used for the treatment of abdominal and rheumatic pains. In this study, we examine the effects of C. arabica leaf extracts (CALE) treatment with naringinase on selected properties of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Chemotaxis of these cells was investigated in the presence of either CALE or CALE treated with naringinase. Results showed that CALE reduced the directed movement of PMNs induced by fMet-Leu-Phe in a dose-dependent manner. A previous treatment of CALE with naringinase enhanced this effect. We conclude that deglycosylation of flavonoids in CALE by naringinase improves the beneficial effect of this plant extract on PMNs. The ability of C. arabica leaf extract treated with naringinase to reduce chemotaxis in human neutrophils may be an important therapeutic factor in the treatment of chronic diseases.