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Abstract
This study examined the mitogenic potential of crude lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) extracts using an in-vitro lymphocyte-cell proliferation assay. Plant lectins such as phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) have been shown to stimulate lymphocytes into mitogenesis (cell proliferation) and differentiation. Recent research on fruits, especially berries, has shown that plant products in some fruits exhibit a wide range of positive biological effects. Peripheral blood cultures were used to examine the potential mitogenic activity of blueberry extracts on lymphocytes. Extracts from the stems, fruits, and roots of lowbush blueberry were obtained and added to lymphocyte blood cultures at a 1/400 dilution. After 72 hours of incubation, the cells were harvested, mounted, and an analysis of mitotic index using the Poisson distribution was conducted. Mitotic figures revealed a significant mitogenic effect for blueberry fruit and blueberry roots. The mitotic index for cultures containing blueberry fruit extract were 5.6%, compared to 2.5% for the berry controls and 2.9% for root extracts compared to 1.7% for root controls. The results suggest that (an) active principle(s) produced in the Vaccinium angustifolium may have the capacity to increase adaptive immune cell populations. However, it is unclear whether the phytochemical agent(s) involved increase(s) of metaphase nuclei by simply augmenting the effects of PHA and/or whether the extract has properties that may sensitize T or B cells.