The effect of coumarin and 7-hydroxycoumarin on in vitro macrophage phagocytosis of latex particles.

The influence of various concentrations of coumarin (C) and 7-Hydroxycoumarin (7HC) upon in vitro macrophage phagocytosis of latex particles was investigated. A C dose of 20 micrograms/ml was indicated to have the greatest stimulating effect of all doses used with a percent effect of 25.6. A C dose of 80 micrograms/ml showed no apparent activity. C doses of 40, 10 and 1 microgram/ml had only a slight positive effect on phagocytosis compared to the control. 7HC concentrations of 80, 40, 20, 10 and 1 microgram/ml did not show any influence on the phagocytotic activity compared to the control. These preliminary data indicate a direct effect of C on macrophage function as has been suggested and refutes the hypothesis that 7HC is the pharmacologically active agent in reduction of high protein edemas.