Selective Th1 upregulation by ethyl acetate fraction of Labisia pumila

Aim of the studyLabisia pumila has rejuvenating properties that help women to regain the strength and vigour after giving birth ( Burkill, 1935) leading us to speculate that Labisia pumila might also modulate the immune matrix as it is one of the important aspect of healthy state of the living body.Materials and methodsStudies were carried out for the evaluation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in murine neutrophils followed by expression of T cell-surface markers and corresponding intracellular expression of cytokines related to T helper1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) activity.ResultsThe ethyl acetate fraction (A001/3b) obtained from ethanolic extract of leaves of Labisia pumila at graded doses (in vitro) showed increased expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12. IL-12 is a strong inducer of Th1 response in activated CD4+ T cells and accordingly T cell studies were carried out (in vivo). These specific studies showed A001/3b to cause marked stimulation of CD4+ T helper cells and related cytokine expression like IL-2 and IFN-gamma (a potent Th1 inducer), thereby, having a predominant Th1 upregulation pathway. This was further validated by suppression of IL-4 and IL-10 expression which are the Th2 pathway cytokines.ConclusionThis study showed ethyl acetate fraction (A001/3b) of Labisia pumila to have Th1 upregulating activity and suggests its possible usefulness as a therapeutic agent in immune compromised patients.

Inflammatory signals regulate the innate immune response that interacts with naive T cells to produce cytokines that direct T cell development. The ethyl acetate fraction (A001/3b) obtained from ethanolic extract of leaves of Labisia pumila showed significant increase in TNF-α expression in neutrophils and array of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β.The Th1/Th2 hypothesis rests largely on the cytokines released by T helper cells in amplifying immune responsiveness. The in vivo study showed A001/3b to have significant stimulatory effect on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The stimulation of IL-2 by A001/3b may be responsible for increased IFN-γ secretion by T cells and the suppressed expression of IL-4 and IL-10 showings it to have a specific Th1 upregulatory activity.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide