Immunomodulatory effects of a bioactive fraction of Strobilanthes crispus in NMU-induced rat mammary tumor model

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Hassan Muhammad YankuzoNik Soriani Yaacob

Abstract

Strobilanthes crispus Blume is traditionally consumed among local Malay and indigenous communities for the treatment of cancer and other ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory wounds of snake bite and immune system activation amongst others. We previously demonstrated that a bioactive fraction of S. crispus leaves (F3) was cytotoxic to breast cancer cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced breast cancer rat model. F3 also normalized the white blood cell count in the tumor-bearing animals, indicating its potential immuno-stimulatory effect. To evaluate the immune stimulatory effects of F3 from S. crispus in NMU-induced rat mammary tumor model. Immunohistochemistry analysis of cellular immune parameters (CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, CIITA, MHC-II and CD68) was performed on NMU-induced rat mammary tumor nodules, followed by evaluation of the serum level of 34 cytokines using the cytokine antibody array. Significant increase in MHC-II, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and CIITA expression by tumor cells was observed in F3-treated rats compared to the tumor control group. F3-treated rats also displayed a significant decrease in the serum level of CCL2 and CD68+ infiltrating macrophages. Serum...Continue Reading

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