A natural oil increases specific anti-OVA IgG levels and induces a cellular immune response combined with aluminum hydroxide.

The efficacy of certain vaccines is improved by the use of adjuvants. Nowadays, the development of new, effective, and safe adjuvants that stimulate the innate immune response is researched. In this context, medicinal plants appear as a suitable alternative. Minthostachys verticillata essential oil (EO) has demonstrated the ability to modulate mechanisms of the innate immune response. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the EO adjuvant effect on humoral and cellular immunity, coadministered with OVA as antigen. The chemical analysis of EO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a predominant pulegone-menthone chemotype. EO (1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/ml) did not alter the viability of murine fibroblasts (3T3 cell line) neither showed signs of toxicity in Balb/c mice inoculated subcutaneously. The serum of mice immunized with OVA + EO showed increased levels of anti-OVA-specific antibodies of IgG1 subclass compared with the mice immunized with OVA alone revealing an adjuvant effect of EO. The delayed type hypersensitivity showed that the combination OVA + Al(OH)3  + EO was the best to induce a cellular immune response that extended until 48 h postinjection of OVA. M. verticillata EO appears as a new, safe, and effective adjuvant, which should continue to be studied for their possible future incorporation into vaccine formulations.

Angioedema Due to Lamiaceae Allergy.

We present a 13-year-old male childallergic to three different plants (Salvia officinalis, Mentha piperita and Origanum onites L.) of Lamiaceae family. The patient developed angioedema 20-30 minutes after eating chicken meat with cheddar cheese. There was no history of allergy. Oral food challenge (OFC) with both cheddar cheese and chicken meat was negative. Skin tests for inhalant allergens were negative. 3 weeks later, the patient was admitted with angioedema after drinking sage tea. OFC with sage was applied and angioedema was observed. It was recognized that the first trigger, chicken meat with cheddar cheese, included oregano (Origanum onites L.). OFC for oregano was positive. Prick to prick test for Lamiaceae herbs (oregano, sage, mint) was performed. A positive reaction was observed only to mint. OFC was repeated with fresh mint and angioedema developed after 16 hours. Diagnose of Lamiaceae allergy is complicated and cross-sensitivity is common. Skin prick test (prick to prick)revealed a positive response only to mint but not to oregano and sage. Commercial radioallergosorbent (RAST) tests are available only for a few members of the family. Finally, thediagnose is based mainly on OFC. Spices from Lamiaceae group should be considered as potential triggers of allergic reactions.

Antidesmone, a unique tetrahydroquinoline alkaloid, prevents acute lung injury via regulating MAPK and NF-κB activities.

Acute lung injury, characterized by inflammation, is a main cause of respiratory failure that affects patients worldwide. Antidesmone is one compound mainly isolated from Ajugade cumbens Thunb (Labiatae), an herb agent of Labiatae family. In this research, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of antidesmone in vitro and in vivo. Antidesmone exerted none apparently cytotoxicity in vitro and toxic in vivo. In vitro results demonstrated that antidesmone suppressed the excess inflammatory cytokines production, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1ß in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed RAW264.7 cells. In vivo results suggested that antidesmone inhibited inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue after LPS stimulation. Moreover, antidesmone attenuated the nuclear translocation of p65. Mechanism study revealed that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways play important roles in antidesmone's action. Taken together, our data uncover a relative toxic anti-inflammatory drug, antidesmone, can inhibit inflammation on stimulated macrophages and thereby prevents acute lung injury by regulating MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Immunosuppressive activity of pogostone on T cells: Blocking proliferation via S phase arrest.

Pogostone (PO) is one of the major chemical constituents of the essential oil of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. In the present study, the effect of PO on T cell responsiveness was investigated to explore its potential in immunosuppression by a Concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulation model using splenocytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Cytotoxicity by PO on normal splenocytes was evaluated by MTS assays. Characteristics of apoptosis, proliferation, and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Related expressions of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) were also determined by flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokine profiling was performed emplying cytometric beads assays (CBA). Moreover, the T cell-mediated delayed Type hepersensity (DTH) model was applied to evaluate the immunosuppressive activity of PO. Neither viability reduction in normal splenocytes nor apoptosis in ConA-stimulated splenocytes was observed under PO treatments. Meanwhile, PO remarkably reduced the total population of ConA-stimulated T cell, blocked T cell proliferation induced by Con A, and inhibited the production of IFN-γ and IL-10. This blockade of stimulated T cell proliferation by PO was likely attributed to down-regulation of cyclin E, cyclin B and CDK1 and the subsequent S-phase arrest. Additionally, PO could inhibit the DTH reaction by alleviating ear swelling and inflammatory infiltrations in the DNCB-challenged ear. Taken together, PO exhibited an immunosuppressive property by directly blocking T cell proliferation as well as altering inflammatory cytokine profile, suggesting that PO may have clinical implications for treating autoimmune diseases and other immune-based disorders.

Plantas medicinales utilizadas en las comunidades de Itá Azul y San Gervasio (Paraguay) / Plantas medicinais utilizadas nas comunidades de Ita Azul e San Gervasio (Paraguai) / Medicinal plants used in the communities of Ita Azul and San Gervasio (Paraguay)

El presente trabajo se desarrolló dentro del marco del Proyecto: «Conservación, fortalecimiento y uso sostenible de la flora de Itá Azul y San Gervasio, Colonia Independencia, Reserva de Recursos Manejados Yvyturuzú. Paraguay», tuvo por objetivo determinar las plantas medicinales empleadas por las comunidades de Itá Azul y San Gervasio, (Colonia Independencia, Departamento de Guairá), Paraguay. Para ello se realizaron encuestas en las mencionadas comunidades, siendo encuestadas en total 81 personas, quienes reportaron un total de 68 especies de uso medicinal distribuidas en 35 familias, siendo las familias con mayor número de especies las Asteráceas (19%), Rutáceas (9%) y Fabáceas, Lamiáceas y Verbenáceas (6% cada una). El 53 % de las especies reportadas son nativas. Se prefiere el uso de las plantas en estado fresco (36%), siendo la parte de la planta más empleada la hoja (32%) y la forma de uso mayormente mencionada el tereré (infusión de las plantas conjuntamente con hoja de mate, 43%). Las afecciones reportadas se agruparon en 11 categorías, de las cuales los trastornos digestivos seguidos por las afecciones respiratorias fueron las más reportadas en el uso de plantas medicinales. Para 11 especies no se ha reportado el uso. El conocimiento etnofarmacobotánico se transmite oralmente de una generación a otra, principalmente a través de las mujeres. La investigación científica puede contribuir eficazmente a preservar este patrimonio cultural (AU)

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto "Conservación, Fortalecimiento y Uso Sostenible de la flora de Itá Azul y San Gervasio, Colonia Independencia, Reserva de Recursos Manejados Yvyturuzú. Paraguay", com o objetivo de determinar as plantas medicinais utilizadas pelas comunidades de Ita Azul e San Gervasio, Colonia Independencia, Departamento de Guairá, no Paraguai. Para isso foram realizados inquéritos nas comunidades acima mencionadas, tendo sido inquiridas um total de 81 pessoas, que reportaram um total de 68 espécies de uso medicinal, distribuídas em 35 famílias, sendo as famílias com maior número de espécies as Asteraceae (19%), Rutaceae (9 %), seguindo-se Fabaceae, Lamiaceae e Verbenaceae (com 6% cada uma). Cerca de 53% das espécies reportadas são nativas. Utilizamse preferencialmente plantas frescas (36%), sendo a parte da planta mais utilizada a folha (32%) e a forma de uso principalmente mencionada o tereré (43%). As afeções reportadas foram agrupadas em 11 categorias, das quais os distúrbios digestivos foram os mais relatados sobre o uso de plantas medicinais e em segundo lugar as afeções respiratórias. Para 11 espécies não foi reportado o seu uso. O conhecimento etnofarmacobotánico é transmitido oralmente de uma geração para outra, principalmente através das mulheres. A investigação científica pode contribuir de forma eficaz para preservar este património cultural

The present work was developed within the framework of the project «Conservation, strengthening and sustainable use of the flora of Ita Azul and San Gervasio, Colonia In dependencia, Managed Resources Reserve Yvyturuzú. Paraguay», aimed to determine the medicinal plants used by the communities of Ita Azul and San Gervasio, Colonia Independencia, Guairá Department, Paraguay. Surveys were conducted in the aforementioned communities to 81 people, who reported the use of 68 species of medicinal plants belonging to 35 families, mainly to Asteraceae (19%), Rutaceae (9 %), as well as Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae (6% each). 53% of the species reported were native. The use of fresh plants (36%) was preferred, being the leaf the part of the plant most frequently used (32%). The plants were mainly prepared as infusion, mixed with mate leaf, in a preparation which is known as «tereré» (43%). The conditions for which the medicinal plants were used were grouped in 11 categories, being digestive disorders followed by respiratory conditions the most reported. For 11 species, no use was reported. The ethnofarmacological and ethnobotanical knowledge is transmitted orally from one generation to another, mainly by women. Scientific research can contribute efficiently to preserve this cultural heritage (AU)

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities in immumosuppressed mice of polysaccharides isolated from Mosla chinensis Maxim cv. jiangxiangru.

Polysaccharide MP was isolated from Mosla chinensis Maxim cv. jiangxiangru. It was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 5.364:12.260:3.448:12.260:32.567:30.651, with 11.00%±0.24% uronic acid and 9.046%±0.04% protein. Its antioxidant activity on the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice was investigated. The spleen and the thymus indices were investigated, and the biochemical parameters were evaluated in three organs (liver, heart and kidney). MP was able to overcome the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and can significantly raise the T-AOC, CAT, SOD and GSH-PX level. It also raised the spleen and thymus indices and decreased the MDA level in mice. MP could play an important role during the prevention process of oxidative damage in immunological system.

Aspectos botánicos y farmacológicos del género Sideritis / The genus Sideritis: botanical and pharmacological aspects

El género Sideritis L. abarca un conjunto de especies vegetales pertenecientes a la familia Lamiáceas ampliamente distribuidas por la región mediterránea, tanto europea y africana como asiática. Tradicionalmente se utilizan por sus propiedades antiinflamatorias, digestivas y antimicrobianas. Desde el punto de vista botánico, este género presenta dificultades en su clasificación debido a la tendencia a la hibridación entre sus numerosas especies. La parte utilizada en medicina tradicional es la sumidad florida, que contiene como principios activos más destacados flavonoides, terpenos y aceite esencial, siendo todos ellos responsables de sus actividades farmacológicas. Estudios recientes demuestran estas actividades y avalan tanto su uso tradicional como posibles nuevas aplicaciones terapéuticas (AU)

The genus Sideritis L., comprises several plant specie belonging to the Lamiaceae family that are widely distributed in the European, African and Asiatic Mediterranean region. Several species are used in folk medicine because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antimicrobial properties. From the botanical point of view, the genus Sideritis has been difficult to classify because of the strong tendency of a number of species to hybridaze. The part used in traditional medicine are the flowering tops. They contain flavonoids, terpenes and essential oil that are responsible of the pharmacological activities. Recent studies prove these activities that support both their traditional uses and their potential new therapeutic applications (AU)

Occupational airborne contact dermatitis caused by thyme dust.

The aim of the study was to assess occupational hazards to the farmer's skin associated with processing thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). 46 farmers were studied during the threshing of dried thyme. They were questioned about work-related skin problems and examined before and after work. In all persons, serum thyme-specific IgE was measured. Skin prick tests, the Ouchterlony test and the migration inhibition test were carried out with allergens of airborne bacteria and fungi present in the working environment. Of the 46 farmers studied, 4 showed skin symptoms after 5-30 min of exposure to thyme dust. Thyme-specific IgE was found in 1 person with work-related symptoms, but also in 2 asymptomatic farmers. Therefore, the importance of IgE seems to be questionable in eczema related to thyme dust. Skin and blood tests with microbial allergens also showed no significant differences between the symptomatic and asymptomatic farmers. To our knowledge, this is the 1st description of occupational airborne contact dermatitis caused by thyme dust. The etiology of thyme-related skin symptoms remains obscure, although an irritant mechanism seems probable.

Mugwort and sage (Artemisia) pollen cross-reactivity: ELISA inhibition and immunoblot evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Plants of the genus Artemisia are a source of fall allergic symptoms, particularly in the western United States. Studies have characterized the allergens in one of the major species (A. vulgaris) but currently there are no cross-reactivity data on the major United States species. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro cross-reactivity among nine Artemisia species: A. frigida, A. annua, A. biennis, A. filifolia, A. tridentata, A. californica, A. gnaphalodes, A. ludoviciana, and A. vulgaris. METHODS: The cross-reactivity was demonstrated with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibitions and immunoblotting techniques utilizing a serum pool from patients allergic to Artemisia species. RESULTS: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibitions revealed strong cross-reactivity among all nine species with A. biennis and A. tridentata being two of the strongest inhibitors. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a great deal of similarity in the bands among the nine species. The nitrocellulose blots showed similar IgE binding patterns among the Artemisia species with strong inhibition among all nine extracts. CONCLUSIONS: These data all demonstrate very strong in vitro cross-reactivity among the nine Artemisia species studied. Such data have significant clinical relevance, suggesting that a single Artemisia species may be sufficient for allergy skin testing and formulation of immunotherapy extracts.