|
The immunotoxicity of
Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis and Galenia africana
E. J. Pool*, J. A. Klaasen and Y. P. Shoko
Department
of Medical Bioscience, The University of the Western Cape,
Private bag X17, Bellvile, 7535, South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
epool@uwc.ac.za. Tel:
+2721 959 3535.
Fax +2721
959 3125
Abbreviations:
IL-4, Inteluekin-4 ; IFN-γ,
interferon-gamma.
Accepted
2 June, 2009 |
|
Increased use of pesticides has resulted in increased concern
about the adverse effects on non-target organisms, including
humans. Due to increasing awareness there is great pressure
to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides. An alternative to
the use of synthetic pesticides is the exploitation of
natural botanical products with pesticidal potential. D.
rhinocerotis and G. africana exhibit antifungal properties
against Botrytis cinerea. This paper describes the
immunotoxicity of extracts of D. rhinocerotis and G.
africana on mouse spleenocytes. Spleen cell cultures were
prepared and exposed to varying concentrations of D.
rhinocerotis and G. africana. Control cultures were exposed
to the DMSO vehicle only. Results obtained showed that both
D. rhinocerotis and G. africana have immunomodulatory
effects.
Exposure of cell cultures to both extracts resulted in a
decrease in both IL-4 and IFN-γ. The cytokine inhibition was
concentration dependent.
Key words:
Pesticides, Galenia africana,
Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis,
immunotoxicity, cytokines. |
