Inflammatory Effects of the Plant Protection Product Stifenia (FEN560) on Vertebrates

Abstract

Plant defense stimulators (PDSs) rely on the activation of plant innate immunity in order to protect crops against various pests. These molecules are thought to be a safer alternative to classical plant protection products. Given that innate immune systems share common features in plants and vertebrates, PDS can potentially cross-react with innate immunity of non-target organisms. To test this hypothesis, we studied effects of the commercial PDS Stifenia (FEN560), which is composed of crushed fenugreek seeds. We tested various concentrations of Stifenia (0.03–1 mg mL−1) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and checked, 20 h later, cell metabolic activity (MA) using XTT assay, cell death by flow cytometry analysis, and IL-1β inflammatory cytokine released in the culture medium using ELISA. Stifenia induced a general decrease of the cell MA, which was concomitant with a dose-dependent release of IL-1β. Our results highlight the activation of human immune cells. The inflammatory effect of Stifenia was partially inhibited by pan-caspase inhibitor. Accordingly, Stifenia induced the release of p20 caspase-1 fragment into the culture medium suggesting the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, we observed that Stifenia can induce cell death. We also tested the effect of Stifenia on Zebrafish larvae. After 24 h of exposure, Stifenia induced a dose-dependent IL-1β and TNFα gene expression. The human-cell-based approach developed in this work revealed a high sensitivity concerning inflammatory properties of a plant protection product. These tests could be routinely used to screen the potential adverse effects of this type of compounds. Finally, our results suggest a potential danger of using extensively certain PDS for crop protection.

Gold(I)–Coumarin–Caffeine‐Based Complexes as New Potential Anti‐Inflammatory and Anticancer Trackable Agents

“…These cells secrete pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial wall component, during infections. As described for other compounds tested, the tests consisted of the evaluation of the inhibition of IL1‐β by in vitro LPS‐treated PBMCs that were also treated with variable concentrations of the tested compounds. The anti‐inflammatory response is validated if the production of IL1‐β is partially or totally inhibited, while the viability of PBMCs is greater than 60 %.…”

“…Ligands 1, 2, [26] and 3,a nd their methyl analogues-N-methylbenzimidazole and caffeine-were reacted with [AuCl(PPh 3 )] in the presence of the chloride abstractor AgBF 4 to convert them into the corresponding gold(I) complexes 4-8 (Scheme 2). The formation of the complexes can be easily monitored by 31 PNMR spectroscopy.M oreover,i nt he 1 HNMR spectrum,i ti si nterestingt on ote that the imidazole CÀH proton shifts from d % 7.6 to 8.9 ppm, which is close to the Scheme1.Strategyd eveloped herein to combine results from two of our previous studies. [12,13] Scheme2.Syntheses of gold(I) complexes 4-8.…”