Immunomodulatory Activity and Chemical Characterisation of Sangre de Drago (Dragon’s Blood) from Croton lechleri

Abstract

The immunomodulatory activity of the latex from Croton lechleri (sangre de drago) was determined by in vitro assays. Classical (CP) and alternative (AP) complement pathways activities were determined in human serum. Intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and monocytes, and phagocytosis of opsonised fluorescent microspheres were measured by flow cytometry. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Activity on proliferation of murine lymphocytes was also investigated. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was assayed in vivo by carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test. Some of the activities were compared with those of the isolated alkaloid taspine. Sangre de drago from Croton lechleri showed immunomodulatory activity. It exhibited a potent inhibitory activity on CP and AP of complement system and inhibited the proliferation of activated T-cells. The latex showed free radical scavenging capacity. Depending on the concentration, it showed antioxidant or prooxidant properties, and stimulated or inhibited the phagocytosis. Moreover, the latex has strong anti-inflammatory activity when administered i. p. Taspine cannot be considered the main responsible for these activities, and other constituents, probably proanthocyanidins, should be also involved.

Abbreviations

AP:alternative pathway

Con A:concanavalin A

CP:classical pathway

DCFH-DA:2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate

DPPH:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl

FSC:forward angle light scatter

HPLC:high-performance liquid chromatography

LB:lymphoid leukaemia

LPS:lipopolysaccharide

NMR:nuclear magnetic resonance

PC:phagocytic capacity

PI:phagocytic index

PKC:protein kinase C

PMA:phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate

PMNs:polymorphonuclear leukocytes

ROS:reactive oxygen species

SD:standard desviation

SP:estimulation of phagocytosis

SSC:side light scatter

TLC:thin layer chromatography

UV:ultraviolet

Key words

Croton lechleri - Euphorbiaceae - dragon’s blood - sangre de drago - anti-inflammatory activity - complement system - oxygen reactive species - phagocytosis - flow cytometry

References

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