Immunomodulating properties of Minthostachys verticillata on human lymphocytes and basophils

GONZALEZ PEREYRA ML; CARIDDI LN; YBARRA F; ISOLA MC; DEMO M; SABINI LI; MALDONADO AM

REVISTA ALERGIA MEXICO

NIETO EDITORES SA DE CV

Año: 2005 vol. 52 p. 105 - 112

0002-5151

Minthostachys verticillata Griseb.) Epling is a South American traditional medicinal herb used as digestive, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and bronchial-dilator agent among other uses. Its anti-microbial activity against staphylococcal strains and its anti-viral properties against HVS-1 and strain RC/79 of PrV have been demonstrated. Objective. The purpose of this work was to determine the immunomodulating ability of M. verticillata decoction and essential oil. As a complementary study, the major components of the essential oil were identified. Materials and methods. Lymphocyte-proliferating activity of both vegetal derivates was tested and compared with the cellular expansion induced by PHA, Pokeweed, CGB in cyto-morphological study. A non-stimulate culture was used like control. The score of lymphocyte clusters and colonies was performed using the method described by Lange. Among proliferated cells, LT CD8+ sub-population was characterized by IF. The "in vitro degranulant ability of the vegetal fractions was tested on basophils from allergic and non-allergic individuals sensitized to environmental fungi. The identification of the major components present in the essential oil derived from M. verticillata was done using gaseous chromatography technique.Results.M. verticillata derivates, reached higher proliferation levels compared with non-stimulated cultures, showed mitogenic activity and induced cluster and colony formation similar to PHA, Pokeweed and CGB. Cells that proliferated after stimulation with the derivates, showed 40% of LT CD8+. Tested concentrations of decoction and essential oil did not reach minimum degranulation indexes over basophils from both allergic and non-allergic individuals. Gaseous chromatography analysis revealed the presence of pulegone and menthone as the main components. Conclusions. M. verticillata derivates were mitogenic over LT, inducing significant cluster and colony formation. There was no evidence of degranulating ability over basophils at the concentrations tested. We assume that the derivates from M. verticillata would induce Th1 deviation in cellular cultures from allergic patients which would diminish hypersensitivity reactions. Some of the compounds of the essential oil that were revealed by gaseous chromatography analysis may be responsible of the biological activity of these products. Keywords: Minthostachys verticillata, mitogenic activity, basophil degranulation.