Augmentation of natural killer cell activity in vivo against tumour cells by some wild plants from Jordan

Abstract

Twelve aqueous extracts prepared from Jordanian plants that are currently used in traditional medicine to treat various types of cancer were tested in mice for their augmentation of natural killer cells in vivo in generating cytotoxicity against YAC tumour targets. After 1 week of oral administration of aqueous extracts of fresh Nigella sativum (N.s.) seeds and Allium sativum (A.s.) bulbs significant augmentation of splenic natural killer (NK) cells (62.3% +/- 6.4% and 52.6% +/-5.4% cytotoxicity, respectively), was obtained in comparison with spontaneous activity (24.5% +/- 1.6%) at 200:1 effector:target ratio. Onopordum acanthium (O.a.) stem and leaves and Allium cepa (A.c.) bulbs showed intermediate augmentation (38.6% +/- 3.8% and 30.6% +/- 3.4% cytotoxicity, respectively) while the rest showed insignificant augmentation activity. The fresh aqueous extract of a mixture of the plants with high and intermediate activity showed little insignificant augmentation activity (72.7% +/- 6.7% cytotoxicity) of NK cells compared with that obtained with each plant alone.

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone: A comprehensive review

“…The study revealed that the ratio of helper to suppressor T cells and NK cytotoxic activity were significantly enhanced in participants who ingested N. sativa oil for 4 weeks [78,79]. Along the same lines, another in vivo study done on mice revealed that 1-week oral consumption of an aqueous extract of N. sativa resulted in a significant increase in splenic NK cell count and a significant enhancement of splenic NK cytotoxic activity against YAC-1 mouse tumor cells [81]. These in vivo findings are in agreement with those of several in vitro studies.…”

“…A line research has identified the enhancement of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells as a mechanism underlying the anti-cancer effects exhibited by N. sativa [39,[78][79][80][81][82]. El-Kadi and colleagues performed an in vivo study on healthy volunteers to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of N. sativa seeds oil with regard to the ratio of helper to suppressor T cells and the cytotoxic activity of NK cells [78,79].…”

Immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties of the Nigella sativa L. seed

“…Accordingly, modulation of cytokine levels can modify the intensity of the inflammatory response. Since N. sativa seeds increased the ratio of helper to cytotoxic T cells, and enhanced Mf and NK cell activities in normal volunteers [100] and in MCMV-infected mice [9], and the production of IL-3 [22,98] and IFN-g [9], its antischistosome effect could in part be attributed to modulation of the immune response to schistosome eggs trapped in the liver. Similar to its anti-schistosome effects, the essential oil from the seeds of N. sativa showed pronounced anti-helminthic activity even in 1:100 dilution against tapeworms, earthworms, nematodes and cestode [121,133].…”

“…For instance, 1 week oral administration of aqueous extracts of N. sativum seeds increased (about 2-fold) the number of splenic NK cells, and their cytotoxicity against YAC-1 tumor targets when compared with control NK cells [100]. In addition, oral administration of N. sativa oil commenced 6 weeks after induction of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes significantly induced beneficial effect, coincided with elevation in the phagocytic activity of peritoneal Mf, and lymphocyte count in peripheral blood compared with untreated diabetic hamsters [101], indicating to the potential of N. sativa oil to enhance functions of cells of innate immunity, including Mf and NK cells, as well as cellular immunity.…”

Untitled

“…Oral administration of NS aqueous extracts (one week) increased the number of splenic NK cells, and their cytotoxicity against YAC-1 tumor targets when compared with control NK cells 75 . NS extract can enhance macrophages" innate immune functions that could control infectious diseases and regulate adaptive immunity 76 .…”