Evaluation of traditional medicines III: the mechanism of immune modulation by PHELA

PHELA is a herbal traditional medicine that is under development for use as an immune booster in immune compromised individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine PHELA's mechanism of action by observing for changes in cytokine profiles. Four groups of Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines complementary, and alternative medicines, 2012-01, Vol.9 (3 Suppl), p.47-63
Main Authors: Lekhooa, Makhotso, Walubo, Andrew, Du Plessis, Jan J B, Matsabisa, Motlalepula G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Asparagaceae
Clerodendrum
Cyclosporine - pharmacology
Cytokines - metabolism
Immunocompromised Host - drug effects
Immunologic Factors - pharmacology
Immunosuppressive Agents - pharmacology
Medicine, African Traditional
Phytotherapy
Plant Preparations - pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Research Papers
Senna Plant
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Summary:PHELA is a herbal traditional medicine that is under development for use as an immune booster in immune compromised individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine PHELA's mechanism of action by observing for changes in cytokine profiles. Four groups of Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8) were treated daily and separately with normal-saline, cyclosporine-A, PHELA-only and PHELA+ cyclosporine-A. Thereafter, 4 animals from each group were sacrificed after 7 and 14 days of treatment. Serum Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were measured by ELISA. The concentrations of Th1 cytokines in the PHELA-only treated group were similar to the control group on days 7 and 14. However, the Th1 cytokines were higher in the PHELA+cyclosporine-A treated group compared to cyclosporine-A group, and cyclosporine-A concentrations were similar in both groups. These results show that PHELA did not stimulate Th1 cytokines of a normal immune system but stimulated them when the immune system was suppressed by cyclosporine-A. In conclusion, PHELA is an immune-stimulant to a compromised immune system.
ISSN:0189-6016
2505-0044
0189-6016
DOI:10.4314/ajtcam.v9i3S.7