ISSN 2756-3375
African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 366-374, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Larrea divaricata Cav. enhances the innate immune response during the systemic infection by Candida albicans
Renzo F. Martino1*, Roberto C. Davicino1, María A. Mattar 1, Yolanda A. Casali2, Silvia G. Correa3 and Blas Micalizzi1
1Department of Biochemistry and Biological Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Microbiology Section, National University of San Luis, San Luis, Argentina. Address: Chacabuco and Pedernera, San Luis city, Argentina.
2Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Bromatology unit, National University of
San Luis, San Luis, Argentina.
3Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, CIBICI (CONICET) National University of Cordoba, Argentina.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 02625-424938-3145563
Accepted 22 December, 2017
Abstract
Larrea divaricata Cav. is a plant used in Argentinean folk medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a purified fraction (F1) obtained from an extract of the plant on murine macrophages (MØ) against a systemic infection by Candida albicans. Mice were divided in four groups: 1) healthy without treatment; 2) healthy with F1 treatment; 3) infected, without treatment; and 4) infected with F1 treatment. Peritoneal MØ were harvested and the following tests were performed: Apoptosis, phagocytosis, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, nitric oxide (NO) production, determination of seric TNF- a and IL-10 and toxicity of F1. Results showed that F1 increased phagocytosis, H2O2 production, superoxide anion and NO levels in presence of C. albicans. These effects are probably due to a modulate mechanism of diverse receptors, such as TLR-2, Dectin-1, mannose receptor and CRs. Apoptosis and TNF-a levels were also increased by F1. The use of this fraction did not induce toxicity on mice. In conclusion, F1 induces a state of pre- activation of MØs, which is enhanced by the presence of C. albicans. The lack of toxicity in addition with the immunomodulatory action becomes F1 a potential safe treatment of disseminated candidiasis.
Key words: Larrea divaricata, fraction, macrophages, disseminated candidiasis, immunomodulatory activity.