The Immunoregulatory Effects of Four Allium Species on Macrophages and Lymphocytes Viability

Abstract

Background: Immune cells perform unique functions against infections and imbalances in immunity associated with various diseases. Applying natural products may control immune responses. Among herbals, much attention has been paid to the immunoregulatory functions of Allium sativum. However, the effects of other Allium species on the immune system have remained undiscovered. Therefore, the current study investigated the effects of A. sativum, A. Iranicum, A. elburzense, and A. asarense bulb extracts on macrophage and lymphocyte viability. Materials and Methods: The different concentrations of aqueous extracts of the aged bulb samples were prepared and used for the incubation of examined immune cells. Macrophages and lymphocytes were isolated and cultured in the presence of different concentrations of bulb extracts of Allium species. Macrophages and lymphocytes viability was followed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: The applied Allium species had stimulatory or inhibitory effects on the examined immune cells at different concentrations. Allium sativum demonstrated the highest effects on macrophage viability indices at 1 mg/mL. The similar effects were found for A. Iranicum extract on macrophage viability indices at 0.01 mg/mL. The bulb extract of A. sativum at the most used concentrations stimulated lymphocyte viability indices. The bulb extracts of all 4 Allium species inhibited viability indices of lymphocytes at 1 mg/mL. The bulb extracts of A. elburzense, at all of the applied concentrations, slightly affected viability indices of the macrophage and lymphocyte. Conclusion: Besides A. sativum, wild growing Allium species could be introduced to study their immunomodulatory effects on various diseases.