Psycho-Immunomodulatory Benefits of Aromatherapy
Mehwish Iqbal in Complementary and Alternative Medicinal Approaches for Enhancing Immunity, 2023
It has been observed that the essential oil of Allium sativum and a number of its organosulfur compounds enhanced efficient responses in segregated human neutrophils, resulting in enhanced production of ROS and calcium flux (Schepetkin et al., 2019). Essential oil of Boswellia carterii revealed a powerful immunomodulatory effect when established on lymphocyte multiplying assay. The peripheral venous lymphocytes were activated by the plant lectin (phytohaemagglutinin) in humans, and the mitogenic response brought about by the existence of frankincense essential oil was similar to that of recognised immunostimulants like levamisole and water-based extract of Echinacea purpurea (Mikhaeil et al., 2003). This activation was combined with the manifestation of genes entailed in the production of reactive oxygen species. Correspondingly, the management with essential oil suppressed the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1, putting forth an anti-inflammatory outcome. In one of the studies conducted by Giovannini, the essential oil of Lavandula escalated the innate response of the immune system by activating the process of phagocytosis (Giovannini et al., 2016); it also lessened a subsequent inflammatory reaction hence supporting and harmonising the general immune response. Achillea millefolium (yarrow) is a fragrant herb utilised in alternative medicine, and its indispensable oil is utilised in aromatherapy (Peterfalvi et al., 2019).
Ganglioside GD2 Specific Antibodies in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Human Neuroblastoma
John T. Kemshead in Pediatric Tumors: Immunological and Molecular Markers, 2020
The ganglioside GD2 is present on neuroblastoma but absent from lymphoblastic leukemias, myelogenous leukemias, and lymphomas.9 By immunofluorescence as well as by immunoperoxidase staining of fresh tumor samples, it is found on the cell surface as well as the cytoplasm. Normal peripheral blood lymphocytes have no detectable GD2 by immunofluorescence. When activated with phytohemagglutinin in vitro, a small percent (<5%) of the lymphocytes becomes faintly surface positive. Among solid tumors, osteogenic sarcomas react strongly with these MAb while Wilms’ tumor and Ewing’s sarcomas do not.9 Since some rhabdomyosarcomas are also strongly positive, the utility of these MAb in differentiating NB from certain sarcomas may be limited.
Interleukin-1 Inhibitors and Their Significance in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Thomas F. Kresina in Monoclonal Antibodies, Cytokines, and Arthritis, 2020
The assay most commonly used to detect IL-1 inhibitors has been the thymocyte costimulation or comitogenesis assay (85,86). The basis for this assay is the ability of IL-1α or β to enhance the in vitro proliferation of mouse thymocytes stimulated with a suboptimal dose of plant lectin. Proliferation is measured by incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA. The lectins concanavalin A (ConA) and phytohemagglutinin are usually employed. These mitogens, which have binding specificity for oligosaccharides, are presumed to bind glycosylated moieties on the cell surface and signal activation and proliferation (87). The specific binding sites and signal transduction mechanisms are not well understood, but cross-linking of T cell receptors is probably involved (72,75,88). With large (mitogenic) doses, binding of lectin is sufficient to cause activation, proliferation, and concomitant production of and/or responsiveness to lymphokines (89). With small (sub-mitogenic) doses of lectin, exogenous IL-1 must be supplied to give comparable proliferation.
Evaluation of toxicological and antimicrobial activity of lavender and immortelle essential oils
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2021
Aner Mesic, Irma Mahmutović-Dizdarević, Emina Tahirović, Irma Durmišević, Izet Eminovic, Anesa Jerković-Mujkić, Renata Bešta-Gajević
Evaluation of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes is a sensitive cytogenetic test in the detection of effects of mutagens (Bonassi 2008). The selection criteria for the blood donors was based on a questionnaire intended to obtain information on the age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and health condition. Subjects selected for participation were nonsmokers and non-alcohol consumers who had not been exposed to x/gamma rays (medical radiation) during previous year, nor had a viral infection. All participants gave their informed consent. The blood samples from two healthy donors were collected into sterile vials containing 68 IU of sodium heparin (BD Vacutainer®), as an anti-coagulant, per milliliter of blood. Whole blood cultures were established within 4 h after the sampling. Peripheral lymphocytes were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), supplemented with 200 mM L-glutamine and 20% fetal calf serum (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). To stimulate cell division, phytohemagglutinin PHA-P (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) was added to cell culture (20 µg/ml). Phytohemagglutinin was dissolved in GibcoTM sterile distilled water (ThermoFisher Scinetific, Waltham, MA, USA).
Toxicity assessment of watermelon seed supplemented diet in rats
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2021
Omolola R. Oyenihi, Blessing A. Afolabi, Ayodeji B. Oyenihi, Gideon B. Ojo
WMS contains some antinutrients such as saponin, alkaloid, cyanogenic glycoside, tannin, hemagglutinin, and oxalate (Braide et al. 2012, Ibeanu et al. 2014). While the potential health benefits of food antinutrients are well-documented, adverse effects especially due to high intake of antinutrient-containing foods are of concern. In this study, the observed effects could be attributed to the presence of these compounds in the seed-supplemented diet. For example, the toxicity of phytohemagglutinin (lectins) relates to the impairment of nutrient absorption and is characterized by growth inhibition in experimental animals (He et al. 2018). Whole WMS as used in this study may contain about 38% higher hemagglutinin levels compared to dehulled seeds (Ibeanu et al. 2014). Although hemagglutinin contents of the whole WMS were lower relative to the toxic level (<25 mg/100 g) reported by Munro and Bassir (1969), the ingestion of a high amount of these seeds over time as in this study, could be responsible for the observed effects.
Safety and efficacy of using heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137: High-dose and long-term use effects on immune-related safety and intestinal bacterial flora
Published in Journal of Immunotoxicology, 2021
Hiroko Nakai, Shinji Murosaki, Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Michiko Furutani, Rumiko Matsuoka, Yoshitaka Hirose
An ex vivo proliferation assay for participant whole blood lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was done by LSI Medicine. In brief, blood samples were diluted to a fixed dilution rate and cultured with or without an optimal dose of PHA, and then pulse-labeled with [3H]-thymidine. At the end of this period, DNA synthesis reflecting cellular division/proliferation was assessed by measuring thymidine uptake in cells. White blood cell sub-populations (percentages of lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes), and relative numbers of CD2+ T-cells and CD20+ B-cells were determined via flow cytometry performed at LSI Medicine using standard labeling protocols with fluorochrome-labelled antibody against each specific marker.
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