Immunostimulant properties of Heracleum maximum Bartr

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Duncan WebsterTannis Jurgens

Abstract

The root of Heracleum maximum Bartr. (Umbelliferae), known to possess direct antifungal and anti-mycobacterial properties, has been reported anecdotally to possess antiviral properties. It was therefore hypothesized that the plant may have immunostimulant properties. This hypothesis was tested using a macrophage activation assay to evaluate the ability of aqueous extracts of the root of Heracleum maximum to stimulate IL-6 production. All Heracleum maximum extracts were found to stimulate IL-6 and produced a steep dose-response curve. With the assay performed twice in the absence of the macrophage primer, IFN-gamma, the mean IL-6 production in the setting of the strongest extract was 3648pg/ml (95% CI 3361-3935) and 5430pg/ml (95% CI 4976-5885) as compared to 2722pg/ml (95% CI 2620-2824) and 6772pg/ml (95% CI 6282-7262) produced by the LPS positive control, respectively. In the presence of IFN-gamma, the strongest extract produced a mean concentration of IL-6 of 21804pg/ml (95% CI 19755-23854) surpassing the 14893pg/ml (13159-16628) produced by the LPS+IFN-gamma positive control. These positive results confirm the hypothesis of immunostimulation and thus support the anecdotal reports of antiviral activity.

References

Jun 1, 1997·Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine·K Takatsu
Nov 15, 2002·Molecular Immunology·Sean Diehl, Mercedes Rincón

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Citations

Nov 1, 2013·The Journal of Microbiology·Myoungki SonHyojeung Kang
May 16, 2015·Journal of Immunotoxicology·R Sandeep VarmaS Pralhad Patki
May 26, 2007·Journal of Ethnopharmacology·Daniel E Moerman
Mar 19, 2013·Journal of Ethnopharmacology·Taryn O'NeillChristopher A Gray
Oct 11, 2020·Phytotherapy Research : PTR·Bikash AdhikariNiranjan Parajuli
Nov 1, 2016·Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety·Mir Babak BahadoriGokhan Zengin
Jul 3, 2021·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Rambod AbiriSonia Malik

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