Modulation of murine T and B lymphocyte subsets by polysaccharide fraction B isolated from Caltha palustris L.

Abstract

Various natural plant extracts have been shown to have the immunomodulatory activity. Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae) is a plant that is widely known and distributed in Europe, Asia and North America. The extracts from Caltha palustris have been used in traditional Canadian and Asian medicine to treat arthritis rheumatism, gonorrhea and a variety of skin diseases. The effects of polysaccharide fraction B from Caltha palustris L. extract (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) on the total number of lymphocytes in the thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes and the percentage and absolute number of T cells (CD4-CD8 -, CD4+CD8+, CD4+, CD8+) in the thymus and T cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) and B (CD19+) lymphocytes in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in mice were studied. The investigated substance was administered intraperitoneally once or five times to mice. The measurements were determined twice: 24 and 72 h after the last administration of fraction B. It was found that five times administration of fraction B (0.1 mg/kg) from Caltha palustris extract significantly decreased the absolute count of CD8+ thymic cells on both days. The increase in the CD4+ lymphocyte population (thymus, spleen) after single administration of fraction B from Caltha palustris extract was noticed, however a decrease in this population was observed after the multiple administration in mesenteric lymph nodes. Whereas CD19+ B lymphocyte population of spleen has been stimulated after five times administration of the tested agent. Results of the study demonstrated that fraction B from Caltha palustris extract can change the percentage and absolute number of T and B lymphocytes in lymphatic organs. The effect of the examined substance depends on the number of consecutive doses applied.