MINTHOSTACHYS VERTICILLATA (Griseb.) Epling: a South American plant with anti-inflammatory effect in vitro

CARIDDI LN; GONZALEZ PEREYRA ML; GAMBERO ML; DEMO M; ISOLA MC; FRANZONI L; SABINI LI; MALDONADO AM

ALLERGY & CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY NEWS

Hogrefe Publishing

Año: 2006 vol. 18 p. 234 - 241

0838-1925

Background: Minthostachys verticillata, is a South American bus used in folk medicine for the treatment of asthmatic disease. Its essential oil (EO) and decoction (D) have antibacterial and antiviral activity. â-hexosaminidase (â-h), a pre-synthesized enzyme present in basophils and mast cells, is released along with histamine in the immediate type allergic reaction. Here, we evaluated the ability of D and EO derived from M. verticillata to inhibit â-h release from basophils -  in response to the specific allergen -  comparing them with dexametasone and theophyline. The percentage of LT CD8(+) and the production of IFN-ã was measured in lymphocyte cultures stimulated by the vegetal derivates in order to investigate if these produce Th1 deviation. Methods / Data base: Leukocytes from 30 allergic patients sensitized to environmental fungi were studied. Basophil degranulation was evaluated considering the amount of b-h released. The inhibition of the degranulation by D and EO, was compared in vitro with the response to the allergen alone or amended with dexametasone or theophyline. Lymphocyte cultures were stimulated with D or EO. The percentage of LT CD8(+) in each culture was determined by IFI. IFN-ã level was measured in culture supernatants by EIA. Results: D and EO inhibited  â-h release from basophils. 42% of the cells present in lymphocyte cultures stimulated by the vegetal derivates were LT CD8(+). Cell cultures stimulated by EO showed higher IFN-ã levels than non stimulated cultures and cultures stimulated by D (p