Immunomodulatory effect of anise (Pimpinella anisum) in BALB/c mice

Purpose: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of anise decoction consumption on lymphocytes activity, complete blood count (CBC) and nitric oxide (NO) production in BALB/c mice.Methods: BALB/c mice were given anise tea instead of drinking water and the effect on selected immune parameters was analyzed after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment.Results: Cell activity of anise treated mice was significantly higher than control group at week 2 as revealed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR2. The spleen cells of anise treated mice showed a significant higher lymphocyte proliferative response to in vitro challenge with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).compared to controls at week two of treatment. The increase in mouse foot thickness as indicator of delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) was less in anise treated mice compared to control group. Nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages in response to activation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was reduced by anise treatment after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment andno significant changes in CD4 and CD8 were noticed either at week 1 or 2 of treatment.Conclusion: This study provides preclinical evidence that anise possesses immunomodulatory activity when administered orally in mice and selectively activates cell-mediated immune mechanismsKeywords: Immunomodulatory, Anise, Traditional medicin

Effect of Salvadora persica Linn root aqueous extract on oral epithelial dysplasia and oral cancer cell lines

Purpose: To evaluate the potential chemo-preventive and anti-oral cancer effects of Salvadora persica (S. persica) on oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Methods: Aqueous S. persica root extracts were prepared at concentrations up to 15.75 mg/mL and applied to oral epithelial dysplasia (DOK), oral squamous cell carcinoma (PE/CA-PJ15), and periodontal ligament fibroblast (PDL) cell lines. The effect of the extract on cell survival and proliferation was determined using MTT assay, while its effect on apoptosis in DOK and PE/CA-PJ15 lines were investigated by measuring apoptotic index using Hoechst stain. Results: In DOK and PE/CA-PJ15 cell lines, cytotoxicity was significant at extract concentrations of 11.25, 13.50 and 15.75 mg/mL, while extract concentration of 13.50 mg/mL produced significant cytotoxic effects on PDL cell line (p < 0.05). The percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased at extract concentration of 11.25 mg/mL for both DOK and PE/CA-PJ15 cell lines (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Significant cytotoxic effects of aqueous root extract of S. persica appeared at a lower concentration in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral cancer cell lines than in normal PDL cell line. These results suggest the potential of S. persica for preventing oral cancer

Tetracycline therapy targets intracellular bacteria in the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis and results in filarial infertility

Intracellular bacteria have been described in several species of filarial nematodes, but their relationships with, and effects on, their nematode hosts have not previously been elucidated. In this study, intracellular bacteria were observed in tissues of the rodent parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis by transmission electron microscopy and by immunohistochemistry using antiendobacterial heat shock protein-60 antisera. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene, isolated by PCR, showed a close relationship to the rickettsial Wolbachia endobacteria of arthropods and to other filarial intracellular bacteria. The impact of tetracycline therapy of infected rodents on L. sigmodontis development was analyzed in order to understand the role(s) these bacteria might play in filarial biology. Tetracycline therapy, when initiated with L. sigmodontis infection, eliminated the bacteria and resulted in filarial growth retardation and infertility. If initiated after microfilarial development, treatment reduced filarial fertility. Treatment with antibiotics not affecting rickettsial bacteria did not inhibit filarial development. Acanthocheilonema viteae filariae were shown to lack intracellular bacteria and to be insensitive to tetracycline. These results suggest a mutualistic interaction between the intracellular bacteria and the filarial nematode. Investigation of such a mutualism in endobacteria-containing human filariae is warranted for a potential chemotherapeutic exploitation