Antirheumatic effect of IDS 23, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on in vitro expression of T helper cytokines.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Stinging nettle leaf extracts are registered in Germany for adjuvant therapy of rheumatic diseases. In a whole blood culture system the nettle extract IDS 23 (Rheuma-Hek) inhibited lipopolysaccharide stimulated monocyte cytokine expression, indicating an immunomodulating effect. We investigated the immunomodulating effects of IDS 23 on phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro.

METHODS:

Using commercial immunoassays the distinct cytokine patterns of Th1 and Th2 cells were determined. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with PHA stimulated PBMC.

RESULTS:

IDS 23 inhibited PHA stimulated production of Th1-specific IL-2 and IFN-gamma in PBMC culture (n = 10) in a dose dependent manner up to 50+/-32% and 77+/-14%, respectively. In contrast, IDS 23 stimulated the secretion of Th2-specific IL-4. The dose dependent inhibiting effect on IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression was also detected with RT-PCR, while the amount of actin-specific mRNA transcript was not modified by IDS 23.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest the effective ingredient of IDS 23 acts by mediating a switch in T helper cell derived cytokine patterns. IDS 23 may inhibit the inflammatory cascade in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

• Authors: S Klingelhoefer, B Obertreis, S Quast, B Behnke
• Journal: The Journal of rheumatology (J Rheumatol) Vol. 26 Issue 12 Pg. 2517-22 (Dec 1999) ISSN: 0315-162X [Print] Canada
• PMID: 10606356 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antirheumatic Agents
• Carcinogens
• Cytokines
• IDS 23
• Interleukin-2
• Phytohemagglutinins
• Plant Extracts
• Plant Lectins
• Interleukin-10
• Interleukin-4
• Interferon-gamma
• Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Topics

• Antirheumatic Agents (immunology, pharmacology)
• Carcinogens (pharmacology)
• Cytokines (immunology, metabolism)
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Interferon-gamma (immunology)
• Interleukin-10 (immunology, metabolism)
• Interleukin-2 (immunology, metabolism)
• Interleukin-4 (immunology, metabolism)
• Jurkat Cells
• Phytohemagglutinins (pharmacology)
• Plant Extracts (immunology, pharmacology)
• Plant Leaves (chemistry)
• Plant Lectins
• Rheumatic Diseases (drug therapy, immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate (pharmacology)