Evaluation of cytotoxic, immunomodulatory effects, antimicrobial activities and phytochemical constituents from various extracts of Passiflora edulis F. flavicarpa (Passifloraceae).

The leaves of P. edulis were subjected to physicochemical analysis, such as ion content, extractives, and structural molecules. The hexanic, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were submitted to phytochemical analyzes by GC-MS, HPLC-MS, and spectrophotometry. In addition, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and TAA methods) potential, antimicrobial (MIC method) action, cytotoxicity and immunostimulant activity (flow cytometry analysis) were performed. The extracts showed a moderate antioxidant capacity and revealed the presence of several metabolites, mainly phenols, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and luteolin. The ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts showed antifungal activity. In addition, the extracts did not affect splenocytes viability at 12.5 µg/mL and promoted the production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-α cytokines. P. edulis extracts showed antifungal and antioxidant activity and were able to induce immunostimulatory action in splenocyte cultures in vitro.

Proliferative Effect of Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) Lectin on BALB/c Mice Splenocytes.

BACKGROUND: Lectins have been studied in recent years due to their immunomodulatory activities. OBJECTIVE: We purified a lectin named OniL from tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and here we analyzed the cell proliferation and cytokine production in Balb/c mice splenocytes. METHODS: Cells were stimulated in vitro in 24, 48, 72 hours and 6 days with different concentrations of OniL and Con A. Evaluation of cell proliferation was performed through [3H]-thymidine incorporation, cytokines were investigated using ELISA assay and cell viability assay was performed by investigation of damage through signals of apoptosis and necrosis. RESULTS: OniL did not promote significant cell death, induced high mitogenic activity in relation to control and Con A and stimulated the cells to release high IL-2 and IL-6 cytokines. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, like Con A, OniL lectin can be used as a mitogenic agent in immunostimulatory assays.