Modulating the Immune System and Improving Oxidative Stress in Mice: The Protective Effect of Cruciferous Plants and Pumpkin

Abstract

This research aims to assess the protective effects of extracts from cruciferous vegetables and plants (white cabbage [WC], red cabbage [RC], broccoli, and cauliflower) and pumpkin extract on regulating the immune system and improving oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid, flavonoid compounds, total phenolic content, and antioxidant properties were evaluated on their hydroethanolic extracts (70%). Then, C57 and Wistar rats were fed with the treatments that had the highest antioxidant properties (400 and 800 μg/mL), respectively, in amounts of 1 and 3 mL, for 15 consecutive days. The IgG, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 factors and oxidative stress (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) were studied. Also, the IL-17 enzymes were evaluated by the noncompetitive ELISA method. The obtained results indicated the highest amount of ascorbic acid (98.66 ± 13.29 mg/100 mL) and phenol (1.663 ± 0.004 mg GA/g) in the hydroethanolic extract of pumpkin and the highest amount of flavonoids in the hydroethanolic extract of WC (0.426 ± 0.004 mg QE/100 g). Also, in the DPPH method, the highest rate of free radical inhibition related to RC hydroethanolic extract was 98.26% at a concentration of 800 μg/mL. The evaluation of the immune system showed no significant difference between the treatments and the control group in any evaluated factor except IgG antibody (p > 0.05). Also, combined treatments of cabbage and pumpkin extracts increased SOD activity in the assessment of oxidative stress. In general, the results indicate that the combination of the extracts of these plants (800 μg/mL) can be a promising therapeutic agent with the ability to modulate the immune system and improve oxidative stress.