Modulation of murine macrophages phagocytic activity by polysaccharide extract from Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Abstract

Chenopodium bonus-henricus (popularly known as Good King Henry or Perennial Goosefoot) is a spontaneous plant used for its cicatrisation, anti-arthritis and anti-cough properties and also for antimicrobial, antifungal, vermifuge, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and immunomodulating effects. Despite these, it is not recognized as an important medicinal plant in the international pharmacopeias, probably because of the few existent researches. In this context our study was made to assess the effect of the polysaccharides extract of Chenopodium bonus-henricus herb on cellular immunity. Murine peritoneal macrophages were incubated with 20, 30, 60 and 80 μg/ml of the extract. In order to evaluate the phagocytosis response, sheep red blood cells were co-cultivated with the treated macrophages. Results showed that polysaccharide extracts increase the phagocytic activity of murine macrophage depending on the concentration. The highest values of the phagocytic index and mean phagocytosis were obtained at 30 μg/ml concentration. Considering mice the main mammalian model organism for studying certain human diseases, Chenopodium bonus-henricus might have clinical applications due to its immunomodulatory properties.