Gymnemic Acid Stimulates In Vitro Splenic Lymphocyte Proliferation.

Gymnemic acid is a mixture of triterpenoid saponins of oleanane class, isolated from Gymnema sylvestre Wild R.Br (family: Asclepidaceae), an herbal plant used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Effect of gymnemic acid (0.1-20 µg/mL) on in vitro mitogen (concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide)-induced splenic lymphocyte proliferation was studied using rat as model. Significant (p < 0.05) stimulation of lymphoproliferation was observed in cultures treated with 10 and 20 µg/mL concentration of gymnemic acid in the absence or presence of mitogens. The present study suggests that gymnemic acid has immunomodulatory property, stimulating lymphoid components of immune system, and the traditional knowledge of anti-diabetic property of G. sylvestre is scientifically supplemented with its immunomodulatory properties.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Gymnema sylvestre (R.Br.) Leaf Extract: An In Vitro Study in Rat Model.

Gymnema sylvestre Wild R.Br (family: Asclepidaceae) is a valuable medicinal plant used in folk medicine to treat diabetes, obesity, asthma etc. in India for antiquity. Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized immunologically by lymphocyte apoptosis and reduced cell-mediated and humoral immunity. Modulation of immune responses to alleviate diseases has been of interest, and traditional herbal medicines may play an important role in this regard. In this study, we aim to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of methanolic extract of G. sylvestre leaf using rat model. HPLC analysis of leaf extract was carried out for gymnemic acid. The method involves the initial hydrolysis of gymnemic acids, the active ingredients, to a common aglycone followed by the quantitative estimation of gymnemagenin, using gymnemagenin as reference standard. Gymnemic acid content was 2.40% (w/w) in G. sylvestre leaf extract. In vitro immunomodulatory activity of the methanolic extract of G. sylvestre leaf (1-200µg/ml) was evaluated by gauging its effects on nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and nitrite release in rat peritoneal macrophages and on mitogen (ConA, PHA and LPS) induced splenic lymphocyte proliferation. G. sylvestre leaf extract showed significant (<0.05) enhancement in NO and ROS generation in macrophages and in proliferation of lymphocytes in dose dependent manner. EC50 value was 3.10, 3.75 and 2.68 µg/ml for NBT reduction, nitrite release and lymphoproliferation, respectively. Potential effect was observed at 100 µg/ml in NO and ROS generation in macrophages and 20 µg/ml in lymphocyte proliferation. G. sylvestre leaf extract stimulates macrophage reactivity, increasing the level of activity even higher when combined with PMA or LPS. These findings suggest the presence of active compounds, gymnemic acid, in methanolic extract of G. sylvestre leaf that stimulates both myeloid and lymphoid components of immune system, and therefore can restore the innate immune function. Through this study, the traditional knowledge of anti-diabetic property of G. sylvestre is scientifically supplemented with its immunomodulatory properties.

Perceptions of orthopaedic surgeons regarding hepatitis C viral transmission: a questionnaire survey.

INTRODUCTION: Occupationally acquired hepatitis C viral infection is an important issue in surgery since there are no known vaccines or effective prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire survey was performed to determine the attitudes and perception of risks of occupational acquired hepatitis C viral transmission in orthopaedic surgeons. RESULTS: A total of 763 questionnaires were posted to orthopaedic surgeons with various subspecialty interests and 261 surgeons responded (34.2%). Of respondents, 117 (47%) had sustained sharps injuries in the previous 12 months. Only 82 surgeons (33%) always reported such injuries, although 208 (84%) expressed concerns of occupationally acquired hepatitis C viral transmission. Orthopaedic surgeons were mostly unaware of the true prevalence of hepatitis C in high-risk groups, such as intravenous drug abusers. CONCLUSIONS: Greater awareness of all aspects of hepatitis C infection and its risks to the practice of surgery is required. Further debate is necessary on the role of routine testing of surgeons and patients.