Natural killer activity of the spleen cells of Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice treated with Copaifera multijuga extract

Abstract

AIMS: Copaifera multijuga Hayne oleoresin is commonly used in traditional medicine owing to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitumor, and antibacterial properties. However, little is known about the effect of the compounds from the bark of this plant. In this study, the immunomodulatory effect of the ethanolic extract of C. multijuga bark via natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells of Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was evaluated.METHODS: Male Swiss mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 1×106 Ehrlich tumor cells (Ehrlich and Ehrlich/C. multijuga group) or phosphate buffered saline solution (control group and C. multijuga group) and treated orally daily with C. multijuga extract (200 mg kg-1, 0.1 mL per mouse, for the Ehrlich/C. multijuga and C. multijuga groups) or phosphate buffered saline solution (control group and Ehrlich group). The four experimental groups consisted in eight mice each and were organized in two sets, one treated for seven days and another treated for 14 days, totalizing 64 mice throughout the experiment. Twenty-four hours after the last oral administration, the mice were euthanized and the spleen tissue was isolated to prepare a non-adherent spleen cell suspension and to evaluate natural killer activity. Data are presented as the cell lysis percentage of Yac.1 target cells by non-adherent spleen cells.RESULTS: Treatment for seven days increased natural killer activity in the Ehrlich/C. multijuga group (21.20±8.89, p<0.05) compared to the control group (3.14±2.71, p<0.05); however, this effect was not maintained in the groups treated for 14 days (Control: 6.02±6.98, Ehrlich: 4.82±7.72, C. multijuga: 2.07±2.10, Ehrlich/C. multijuga: 2.01±1.63, p>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for seven days with an ethanolic extract of C. multijuga bark enhanced the natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells from Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice.

Natural products: the contribution of research developed by a university in Sinop, Brazil

“…In contrast to the described antioxidant activity of natural compounds, it is important to consider that ROS and RNS production by leukocytes also represent key host defense mechanisms against infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and parasites (ALBIERO et al, 2016;CANTARINI et al, 2015;FIORI et al, 2017;RODRIGUES et al, 2019). Natural products can modulate immune effector cell functioning by activating their function, offering alternatives for preventing or curing neoplastic diseases or diseases caused by resistant microorganisms, or inhibiting them in case of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis RODRIGUES et al, 2019). Therefore, the immunomodulatory action of natural compounds has been studied.…”

“…Immunostimulant action was observed in copaiba extracts (Copaifera multijuga) (ALBIERO et al, 2016;RODRIGUES et al, 2019). The ethanolic extract of this plant affected the development of Ehrlich's tumor in treated animals, reducing tumor mass by 45% and increasing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12p70, TNF-a, and interferon (IFN)-g, and the natural killer activity of splenic cells (ALBIERO et al, 2016;RODRIGUES et al, 2019).…”

“…In contrast, immunosuppressive action was observed in the synthetic derivative of coumarin (3phenylcoumarin) . Coumarins represent a widespread class of plant secondary metabolites that can be obtained by chemical synthesis with relative ease, and display various biological activities (RODRIGUES et al, 2019). demonstrated that 3-PD-5 (6,7-Dihydroxy-3-[3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl]-coumarin) has anti-inflammatory activity, reducing synovial neutrophil infiltration and joint swelling in animals with zymosan-induced arthritis.…”