RESUMEN
Our previous study has demonstrated that Pseudostellaria heterophylla protein hydrolysate (PPH) has immunomodulatory activity on murine spleen lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the excitation of PPH in RAW264.7 macrophage cells and the protective effect in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated mice. The results showed PPH of 50⯵g/mL could stimulate macrophages resulting in significant promotions of nitric oxide (NO) production, endocytosis and reactive oxygen species formation. Meanwhile, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 were significantly upregulated by PPH. Furthermore, 50â¯mg/kg per day PPH restored the T lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity, and increased NO production and pinocytosis of peritoneal macrophages in CTX-treated mice. These findings indicate PPH plays a crucial role in RAW264.7 macrophage cells activation and in the protection against immunosuppression in CTX-treated mice and could be used as a potential immunostimulant agent.
Asunto(s)
Caryophyllaceae/química , Ciclofosfamida/farmacología , Activación de Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Hidrolisados de Proteína/farmacología , Animales , Citocinas/metabolismo , Suplementos Dietéticos , Alimentos Funcionales , Inmunidad Innata/efectos de los fármacos , Factores Inmunológicos/farmacología , Células Asesinas Naturales/citología , Células Asesinas Naturales/efectos de los fármacos , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Macrófagos Peritoneales/citología , Macrófagos Peritoneales/efectos de los fármacos , Macrófagos Peritoneales/inmunología , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos ICR , Peso Molecular , Hidrolisados de Proteína/química , Células RAW 264.7 , Linfocitos T/citología , Linfocitos T/efectos de los fármacos , Linfocitos T/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Pseudostellaria heterophylla has been becoming a popular research topic because of its functionally active components. The immunomodulatory activity of P. heterophylla peptide (PPH) derived from protein hydrolysate and the molecular mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory effect were investigated in this study. Immunomodulatory PPH achieved the highest stimulation index of 1.53 at a concentration of 100 µg mL-1 for 48 h in spleen lymphocytes and promoted the secretions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-10. Moreover, PPH could elevate the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, calcineurin activity and nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) c1 mRNA expression. Meanwhile these effects could be diminished by the treatment of verapamil and cyclosporin A, suggesting that PPH may activate spleen lymphocytes via the Ca2+/CaN/NFATc1/IFN-γ signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate that the P. heterophylla peptide has the potential to be utilized as a nutraceutical supplement to strengthen the immune system in the human body.