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Mineral pitch stimulates humoral, cellular and innate immune responses in mice
Ishrina Rubab1, Indusmitha Routray, Amena Mahmood
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard-Hamdard University, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Context:
Mineral pitch (MP), a traditional medicine, is proposed to boost immunity in conditions that suppress Th1 cytokines such as AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis and cancer.
Objective:
This study investigates the immunoregulatory mechanisms of MP in innate, humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
Materials And Methods:
Mice given MP (100, 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg, orally) for 10 consecutive days were immunized intravenously with goat RBC or ovalbumin, and investigated for plaque-forming cells (PFC), hemagglutination titer, hypersensitivity response, lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage function.
Results:
MP increased PFC (330.2 versus 182.2/10⁶ splenocytes) in mice immunized with goat RBC and elicited ovalbumin-specific IgG titer at 400 mg/kg. Increase in Th1 immunity was correlated with the increased level of IFN-γ (724 versus 470 pg/ml) and decreased IL-4 (96 versus 178 pg/ml). CD4⁺/CD3⁺ ratio and delayed-type hypersensitivity response also increased to, respectively, 20.62 ± 0.59 (versus 16.47 ± 0.72) and 1.59 ± 0.12 (versus 0.87 ± 0.10 mm) in MP-treated mice. MP increased lymphocyte proliferation (11.14 ± 0.60 versus 5.81 ± 0.40 SI) and macrophage phagocyte response (0.24 ± 0.02 versus 0.15 ± 0.009), expressed as absorbance at 570 nm, but decreased nitrite production (17.4 ± 1.10 versus 24.3 ± 1.30 µM/10⁶ cells). We also observed an increased bone marrow cellularity (24.5 ± 1.10 versus 17.10 ± 0.70 cells/femur) and WBC count (12 667 ± 377 versus 9178 ± 213 cells/mm³) following MP treatment. There was no sign of toxicity at 400 mg/kg, 1/12th of reported LD₅₀.
Conclusion:
MP elicits a dose-dependent Th1 immune response.
Insights
Mineral pitch (MP) enhances Th1 immune responses, boosting cell-mediated immunity and macrophage function in mice. This traditional medicine shows potential for immune support without toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Medicine
Background:
- Mineral pitch (MP) is a traditional medicine explored for immune-boosting properties.
- MP is investigated for its potential to counteract Th1 cytokine suppression in conditions like AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunoregulatory mechanisms of MP.
- To assess MP's effects on innate, humoral, and cell-mediated immunity.
Main Methods:
- Mice were orally administered MP (100-400 mg/kg) for 10 days.
- Immune responses were evaluated through plaque-forming cells, hemagglutination titers, hypersensitivity, lymphocyte proliferation, and macrophage function assays.
Main Results:
- MP treatment increased plaque-forming cells and ovalbumin-specific IgG titer.
- A significant increase in Th1 immunity markers (IFN-γ, CD4+/CD3+ ratio, DTH response) was observed.
- MP enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage phagocytic activity while increasing bone marrow cellularity and WBC count without toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Mineral pitch elicits a dose-dependent Th1 immune response.
- MP demonstrates immunomodulatory effects across innate, humoral, and cell-mediated immunity.
