Effect of gallic acid derivatives on secretion of Th1 cytokines and Th2 cytokines from anti CD3-stimulated spleen cells

As reported previously (Kosuge et al., Yakugaku Zasshi, 120, 408 (2000)), methyl gallate, a gallic acid derivative, which has been one of compounds isolated from extracts of Psidium geneus Myrtaceae, selectively suppresses Th2 cytokine secretion. In the present study, to examine more effective compounds than methyl gallate, the effects of various gallic acid derivatives on the secretion of helper T cell subtype specific cytokines from anti CD3-stimulated spleen cells were investigated. Ten mug/ml of methyl gallate and ethyl gallate remarkably suppressed the secretion of IL-4 and IL-5, Th2 cytokines, but did not suppress meaningfully the secretion of IFN-gamma, a Th1 cytokine. On the other hand, the other gallic acid derivatives suppressed the secretion of both IL-4 and IFN-gamma. Ten mug/ml of methyl gallate suppressed the secretion of IL,-2, a Th1 cytokine, but the same concentration of ethyl gallate did not suppress it. In conclusion, it seemed that ethyl gallate was the most selective inhibitor for the secretion of Th2 cytokines among gallic acid derivatives used in this study.