Immune modulation properties of herbal plant leaves: Phyllanthus niruri aqueous extract on immune cells of tuberculosis patient - in vitro study

Abstract

Disease progression in Tuberculosis (TB) is dependent on host’s immune system. Phyllanthus niruri, a traditional herb, has long been used to boost immune system in Indonesian society. This study aimed to observe the potential role of P. niruri in inducing immune cells activity in TB patients by in vitro approach. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and macrophages were collected from active pulmonary TB patients. After stimulation with graded doses of P. niruri aqueous extract, cell proliferation, phagocytic activity and nitric oxide (NO) release were analysed. P. niruri aqueous extract induced proliferation of PBMCs, increased NO release, and improved macrophages phagocytic activity. These effects were observed in a dose-dependent manner. This may lead to further research for the potential role of P. niruri as immunomodulatory adjuvant therapy for TB patients.

Keywords:

• Tuberculosis
• Phyllanthus niruri
• immune modulation
• phagocytic activity
• herbal plant

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Drs Indwiani Astuti and Ida Safitri for throughout advices for improvement of this study, and to Mrs. Yuli from Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory UGM for assistance in the laboratory assay.