Immunostimulant effect of Brassica rapa and Raphanus sativus seeds on thymic cells and their cytotoxicity.

Immunomodulators from natural products are widely used for the treatment of infectious diseases, allergies, and cancer in traditional Moroccan medicine. The purpose of this study was the study of two plant seeds of Brassica rapa (Turnip) and Raphanus sativus (Radish) used by Moroccans in traditional medicine to enhance immunity. We have prepared three different extracts from seeds using ethanol, Ethyl Acetate, or water. Immunomodulatory effects of these two plant seeds were tested on rabbit immunity cell proliferation (splenocytes, thymocytes, and macrophages) and their functions (IgG production, cytotoxicity, and phagocytosis). The results obtained indicated that only aqueous extract of B. rapa seeds revealed an immunostimulant effect on both splenocyte and thymocyte proliferation with an increase in cytotoxicity of thymocytes (MLR assay). With R. sativus seeds, we observed an important stimulation of thymocyte proliferation and their cytotoxicity under aqueous extract without effect on splenocyte or macrophages. We concluded that aqueous extract of both seeds (B. rapa and R. sativus) possessed immunostimulant properties leading to stimulation of cellular immunity responsible for defense against viruses.

[Primary pharmacological screening of an endemic plant from the Southern Morocco (Tetraena gaetula [Emb. & Maire] Beier & Thulin)]. / Criblage pharmacologique primaire d'une plante endémique originaire du Sud Marocain (Tetraena gaetula [Emb. & Maire] Beier & Thulin).

Tetraena gaetula (Emb. & Maire) Beier & Thulin (Zygophyllum gaetulum Emb. & Maire, Zygophyllaceae) is an endemic plant from the southern Morocco. This plant is widely used in Moroccan traditional medicine as an antispasmodic and antidiabetic. Our work aims to evaluate several pharmacological properties of extracts of T. gaetula such pro- or antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, analgesic and antidepressant effects. Initially, we studied intraperitoneally the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of T. gaetula in mice; the lethal dose 50 is 1.2 g/kg of body weight. Our results also showed a stimulating proliferative activity of T. gaetula, particularly at 6 µg/µL of the proteic extract on T lymphocytes. However, this same concentration of proteic extract induced rather cytotoxicity on B cells and macrophages. Our ex vivo results showed a dose-dependent response: (i) stimulation of lymphocyte subpopulations and monocytes in a dose 600 mg/kg, and (ii) immunosuppression at a dose 300 mg/kg. The pharmacological results in vivo showed a pronounced antidepressant effect of the proteic extract at all doses. However, the aqueous extract showed analgesic and anti-depressant effects, mainly at doses 300 and 600 mg/kg.

Characterization and stability of specific IgE to white egg's, gliadin's and peanut's proteins among children.

The aim of the present study was to characterize allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) among children in Fez region. Eighty one children were recruited from the Hospital University Center of Fez. All of them had completed a questionnaire before taking sera. The sera were used to measure total IgE and specific data to proteins of egg's white (EWP), peanuts (PP) and gliadins (G). In last part, we studied the reactivity of specific IgE to native and to heat- and acid-treated allergens. Allergen-specific IgE measurement indicated more positive values for gliadins (46.9% up to 2IU/ml) than egg white's (29.6%) and peanut's proteins (22.2%). According to predictive values published by Sampson (2001), 14.3% of children are sensitive to egg white's proteins, 4.1% to gliadins and 2.7% to peanut's proteins. The allergenic potential of EWP and gliadins among children were partially diminished by heat and acid treatment. Allergen-specific IgE measurement indicates that children from Fez region are more sensitive to EWP than peanut's proteins and gliadins. Treatments of these food proteins indicated that recognition by children IgE can be reduced by thermal or acid treatment of these allergens.