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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Expansion, Purification, and Functional Assessment of Human Peripheral Blood NK Cells
Published on: February 3, 2011
Augmentation of natural killer cell activity in vitro against tumor cells by wild plants from Jordan
N M Abuharfeil1, A Maraqa, S Von Kleist
1Department of Applied Biology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. harfeil@just.edu.jo
Abstract:
Thirteen aqueous extracts prepared from Jordanian plants, that are currently used in traditional medicine to treat various types of cancer, were tested in mice for their ability to augment natural killer (NK) cell function in vitro in generating cytotoxicity against YAC tumor targets. Lymphoid cells at a concentration of 5x10(6)/ml were incubated in medium alone or in medium containing different dilutions of either plant extract or purified interferon alpha for 20 h and tested for NK activity. Maximum NK activity (62. 3%) was obtained at 1:50 dilution of Nigella sativum fresh aqueous extract, 48.5% at 1:100 dilution for Allium sativum (and 38.3% at 1:50 dilution for Onopordum acanthium. Fresh aqueous plant extracts appeared to be more potent than old dried aqueous extract or ethanolic extracts. NK augmentation by plant extracts using nylon wool non-adherent spleen cells was slightly higher than the whole spleen cells.
Insights
Certain Jordanian plant extracts, like Nigella sativum, can boost natural killer (NK) cell activity against cancer cells. Fresh aqueous extracts showed the most potent NK cell augmentation in this study.
Area of Science:
- Phytomedicine
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Traditional Jordanian medicine utilizes various plants for cancer treatment.
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for innate immunity against tumors.
- Understanding plant-derived immunomodulators can offer novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro immunomodulatory effects of Jordanian medicinal plants on NK cell activity.
- To identify specific plant extracts that enhance NK cell cytotoxicity against tumor targets.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen aqueous plant extracts were prepared from Jordanian flora used in traditional cancer therapy.
- Lymphoid cells were incubated with plant extracts or interferon-alpha, then tested for NK cell activity against YAC-1 tumor cells.
- NK cell cytotoxicity was measured at various extract dilutions.
Main Results:
- Nigella sativum (62.3%), Allium sativum (48.5%), and Onopordum acanthium (38.3%) fresh aqueous extracts significantly augmented NK cell activity.
- Fresh aqueous extracts demonstrated higher potency compared to dried or ethanolic extracts.
- NK cell augmentation was slightly more pronounced with non-adherent spleen cells.
Conclusions:
- Several Jordanian plant extracts possess the ability to enhance NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
- Nigella sativum, Allium sativum, and Onopordum acanthium show promise as natural sources for immunomodulatory compounds.
- Further research into these plant extracts could lead to new cancer immunotherapies.
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