Extracts of Luffa Operculata Downregulate some Functions of Human Circulating Leukocytes

Maria Teresita Coneo Amaya, Ana Maria Daza Zapata, Jaime Ivan Rodriguez O, Mauricio Rojas-Lopez

Abstract: Background: Luffa operculata is one of the most popular medicinal plants used in South America, where it has been proposed as a low-cost alternative for the treatment of rhinosinusitis, although the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and also anti-tumor effects are unknown. This study aimed to determine the range of cytotoxic concentrations of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of L. operculata for human circulating leukocytes, and evaluate the effects of non-cytotoxic doses on some functions of leukocytes from patients with rhinosinusitis and healthy controls. Methods: Samples of EDTA-anticoagulated peripheral venous blood were drawn from healthy volunteers and asymptomatic patients with a clinical history of chronic rhinosinusitis. Using nontoxic concentrations of ethanolic and aqueous extracts the effects on cell PHA-induced proliferation, respiratory burst and cytokines were studied by flow cytometry. Results: Non-cytotoxic doses of both, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of L. operculata inhibited the PHA-induced activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, and significantly reduced the accumulation of IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, and TNF-? in the culture supernatants. Also, both plant extracts inhibited the PMA-induced respiratory burst in neutrophils and monocytes in a dose-dependent manner, being monocytes the cells more sensitive. On the other hand, there were no differences in the effects of plant extracts between cells from healthy donors and patients with rhinosinusitis. Conclusion: In this study, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of L. operculata could be independently attributed to different concentrations of the aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts. Results pointed L. operculata as a negative regulator of the proliferation and synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines by human lymphocytes, and the respiratory burst of phagocytes.

Keywords: Luffa operculate, human leukocytes, immunomodulation, rhinosinusitis

How to Cite?: Maria Teresita Coneo Amaya, Ana Maria Daza Zapata, Jaime Ivan Rodriguez O, Mauricio Rojas-Lopez, "Extracts of Luffa Operculata Downregulate some Functions of Human Circulating Leukocytes", Volume 12 Issue 5, May 2023, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1009-1023, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR23512062801, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR23512062801