Immunomodulating properties of Minthostachys verticillata (M.v.) on human lymphocytes and basophils

CARIDDI LN; GONZALEZ PEREYRA ML; MALDONADO AM

Villa General Belgrano (Córdoba)

Jornada; XIV Jornadas Científicas, Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba.; 2003

MInthostachys. verticillata is a traditional medical herb that shows antimicrobial activity against Staphvlococcus aureus, antiviral properties against HVS-l and bronchodilating effect in asthma. The 1 objectives of this work are to investigate the stimulating ability over lymphocyte expansion of Mv. derivates compared with PHA-M PWM and BCG; to characterize the proliferated cell populations and determine the ability of different doses of Mv. derivates to inhibit basophil degranulation. 16 patients presenting cow milk a allergy and 12 non allergic ones were evaluated. In ah cases the lymphocytarian transformation test were performed. Leukocyte cell cultures were prepared and stimulated with each of the mitogens or M.v. derivates. The LT population was characterized with murine ant human CD8 monoclonal antibodies by IFD. To compare the response against the specific antigen and Mv. derivates tite basophil,degranulation test was performed in vitro. Mv. derivates had  mitogenic effects similar to the ones shown by PHA-M, PWM or BCG. The proliferation rates reached by M,v, derivates were higher than those shown by controls (p < 0.001). Over 40% of proliferated cells showed LT CD8 (+). Doses of 100 ìg/mI of decoction and 1.2 mg/ml of essential oil did not reach the minimums degranulation rate. Derivates of Mv. resulted to have mitogenic and immunomodulating activity on LT CD8 (+) and did not cause basophil degranulation. As proinflammatory characteristics were not developed they could have enhanced the Th1 deviation on allergic patient’s cell cultures.