innate Immun. 2017 Apr;23(3):285-295. doi: 10.1177/1753425917691116. Epub 2017 Jan 31.
- 1
- 1
Department of Immunology and Infectious Biology, Faculty of Biology and
Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
- 2
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
- 3
- 3 Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Lodz Technical University, Lodz, Poland.
- 4
- 4 Department of Haemostatic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Abstract
The immunomodulatory activity of Leonurus
cardiaca L. polyphenol-rich extract (LCE) was tested in vitro on HUVECs
to explore its potential therapeutic usefulness in the treatment of
inflammatory lesions. The phytochemical composition of LCE, its
antioxidant and cytotoxic activity, and the influence of LCE on NO and
platelet-activating factor (PAF) secretion by HUVECs and platelet
aggregation were all assessed. Total polyphenol contents in LCE reached
137.0 ± 0.8 mg/g, with hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives as the
predominant phenolic compounds. LCE expressed antioxidant capacity,
which was, however, 13- to 16-fold lower than the antioxidant activity
of ascorbic acid. The plant extract was not cytotoxic up to a
concentration 4500 µg/ml and did not exhibit proapoptotic activity. LCE
significantly increased NO production in HUVECs in a
concentration-dependent manner and led to the inhibition of PAF
secretion induced by staphylococcal peptidoglycan. The extract used at
the concentration of 100 µg/ml significantly reduced platelet
aggregation in the presence of arachidonic acid. We provide in vitro
data demonstrating the immunomodulatory potential of LCE, which may be
beneficial in preventing the development of difficult-to-treat
inflammatory lesions within chronically infected tissues.
KEYWORDS:
Leonurus cardiaca; endothelial cells; immunomodulation; inflammation; platelets
