In vitro studies on the relationship between the anti-inflammatory activity of Physalis peruviana extracts and the phagocytic process

Abstract

The study of plants used in traditional medicine has drawn the attention of researchers as an alternative in the development of new therapeutics agents, such as the American Solanaceae Physalis peruviana, which has significant anti-inflammatory activity. The Physalis peruviana anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol or ether calyces extracts on the phagocytic process was assessed by using an in vitro phagocytosis model (Leishmania panamensis infection to murine macrophages). The Physalis peruviana extracts do not inhibit microorganism internalization and have no parasiticide effect. Most ET and EP extracts negatively affected the parasite’s invasion of macrophages (Infected cells increased.). This observation might result from a down-regulation of the macrophage’s microbicide ability associated with a selective reduction of proinflammatory cytokines levels. Physalis peruviana’s anti-inflammatory activity described in this model is related to an immunomodulatory effect exerted on macrophages infected, which directly or indirectly “blocks” their ability to secrete soluble proinflammatory mediators.

Keywords::

• Physalis peruviana
• immunomodulation
• phagocytosis
• inflammation
• J774 cells
• Leishmania phagocytosis model

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank all members of the Immunotoxicology Research Group and the Research Group on Bioactive Principles of Medicinal Plants, Department of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Sciences of the National University of Colombia. Thank you, also, to the PECET at the University of Antioquia, in particular to Drs. Ivan Dario Velez and Sara Robledo for provide to us Leishmania gfp strain. The Group of Functional Molecular Immunology at the Foundation Institute of Immunology, Colombia (FIDIC).

Special thanks go to the Becton Dickinson Company of Colombia for assisting in the use of the flow cytometer in regards to technology support and training.

Declaration of interest: This project could not be completed without the resources assigned by the DIB (Direction de Investigation, Sede Bogotá), National University of Colombia (approved projects No. 2020100946 and No. 20201009602), and the Colombian Institute for the Development of Science and Technology “Francisco Jose de Caldas-Colciencias” through project 110140820378.