Planta Med 2021; 87(01/02): 160-168
DOI: 10.1055/a-1237-4268
Biological and Pharmacological Activities
Original Papers

In vitro and In Vivo Immunomodulatory Activity of Physalis angulata Concentrated Ethanolic Extract

Sérgio Ricardo Teixeira Daltro
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Ivanilson Pimenta Santos
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Paula Ladeia Barros
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Diogo Rodrigo Magalhães Moreira
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Therezinha Coelho Barbosa Tomassini
2   Laboratório de Química de Produtos Naturais-PN2-Extração, Isolamento e Purificação, Farmanguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Ivone Maria Ribeiro
2   Laboratório de Química de Produtos Naturais-PN2-Extração, Isolamento e Purificação, Farmanguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
,
Ricardo Ribeiro dos Santos
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Cássio Santana Meira
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
,
Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
1   Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Supported by: PRONEX 0002/2014
Supported by: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia 0042/2013
Supported by: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico 562655/2010-7

Abstract

The need for new immunomodulatory drugs is due to the side effects associated with the prolonged use of the currently used immunomodulatory drugs. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of an ethanolic concentrated extract from Physalis angulata. The cytotoxicity of samples was determined using peritoneal macrophages though the Alamar Blue assay. The immunomodulatory activity of the ethanolic extract from P. angulata on activated macrophages was determined by measurement of nitrite and cytokine production. The immunosuppressive effects of the ethanolic extract from P. angulata was evaluated on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The effects of the extract on cell cycle progression and cell death on lymphocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Lastly, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata was tested in vivo in toxicological tests and in models of peritonitis and delayed-type hypersensitivity response. The ethanolic extract from P. angulata decreased nitrite, interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and TNF-α production by activated macrophages without affecting the cell viability. In addition, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata inhibited lymphoproliferation and the secretion of interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and IFN-γ, and increased interleukin-4 secretion by activated splenocytes. Flow cytometry analysis in lymphocyte cultures showed that treatment with the ethanolic extract from P. angulata induces cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase followed by cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, mice treated with the extract from P. angulata at 100 or 200 mg/kg did not show signs of toxicity or alterations in serum components. Finally, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata significantly reduced neutrophil migration and reduced paw edema in bovine serum albumin-induced the delayed-type hypersensitivity response model. Our results demonstrate the potential of the ethanolic extract of P. angulata as an alternative for the treatment of immune-inflammatory diseases.



Publication History

Received: 30 March 2020

Accepted after revision: 30 July 2020

Article published online:
16 September 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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