IMMUNOSUPPRESIVE EFFECTS OF THE METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CHRYSOPHYLLUM CAINITO LEAVES ON MACROPHAGE FUNCTIONS

Background: The aim of this work was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the methanol extract (MeOH) from Chrysophyllum cainito leaves on the M phi s functions. Material and Methods: Peritoneal murine M phi s isolated from Balb/c mice were treated with the MeOH extract and stimulated with LPS. The effect on the phagocytosis was evaluated by flow cytometry assay. The nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production was measured by the Griess reagent and phenol red reaction, respectively. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha was measured using an ELISA kit. Viability of M phi s and Vero cells was determined by the MTT method. Results: The MeOH extract of C. cainito leaves inhibited significantly the phagocytosis, and decreased IL-6 and TNF-a production as well as NO and H2O2 released by the MFs, in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, MeOH extract of C. cainito showed low cytotoxicity effect against the cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that MeOH extract of C. cainito leaves has an immunosuppressive effect on murine M phi s, without effects on cell viability. GC-MS chromatogram analysis of MeOH extract showed that lupeol acetate and alpha-amyrin acetate are the principal compounds.