Capparis Spinosa L. promotes anti-inflammatory response in vitro through the control of cytokine gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moutia, Mouna; El Azhary, Khadija; Elouaddari, Anass; Al Jahid, Abdellah; Jamal Eddine, Jamal; Seghrouchni, Fouad; Habti, Norddine; Badou, Abdallah
• Is Part Of: BMC immunology. Volume 17:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Capparis Spinosa -- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells -- Anti-inflammation -- Cytokines -- Gene expression -- Cell proliferation -- Cell viability; Immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- Periodicals; Immunity -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- Periodicals; Immunologic Techniques -- Periodicals; 616.07905
• DOI: 10.1186/s12865-016-0164-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2172

Abstract

Abstract Background Capparis Spinosa L. is an aromatic plant growing wild in dry regions around the Mediterranean basin.Capparis Spinosa was shown to possess several properties such as antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-hepatotoxic actions. In this work, we aimed to evaluate immunomodulatory properties ofCapparis Spinosa leaf extracts in vitro on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals. Results Using MTT assay, we identified a range ofCapparis Spinosa doses, which were not toxic. Unexpectedly, we found out thatCapparis Spinosa aqueous fraction exhibited an increase in cell metabolic activity, even though similar doses did not affect cell proliferation as shown by CFSE. Interestingly, Capparis Spinosa aqueous fraction appeared to induce an overall anti-inflammatory response through significant inhibition of IL-17 and induction of IL-4 gene expression when PBMCs were treated with the non toxic doses of 100 and/or 500 μg/ml. Phytoscreening analysis of the usedCapparis Spinosa preparations showed that these contain tannins; sterols, alkaloids; polyphenols and flavonoids. Surprisingly, quantification assays showed that ourCapparis Spinosa preparation contains low amounts of polyphenols relative toCapparis Spinosa used in other studies. ThisCapparis Spinosa also appeared to act as a weaker scavenging free radical agent as evidenced by DPPH radical scavenging test. Finally, polyphenolic compounds including catechin, caffeic acid, syringic acid, rutin and ferulic acid were identified by HPLC, in theCapparis spinosa preparation. Conclusion Altogether, these findings suggest that ourCapparis Spinosa preparation contains interesting compounds, which could be used to suppress IL-17 and to enhance IL-4 gene expression in certain inflammatory situations. Other studies are underway in order to identify the compound(s) underlying this effect.