Macrophage activation by polysaccharide biological response modifier isolated from Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berg

Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Nov;6(11):1634-41. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2006.04.013. Epub 2006 May 22.

Abstract

A mannose-rich polysaccharide biological response modifier (BRM), derived from Aloe vera L. var. chinensis (Haw.) Berg., was demonstrated to be a potent murine B- and T-cell stimulator in our previous study. We here report the stimulatory activity of PAC-I on murine peritoneal macrophage. The polysaccharide when injected into mice enhanced the migration of macrophages to the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal macrophage when treated by PAC-I in vitro had increased expression of MHC-II and FcgammaR, and enhanced endocytosis, phagocytosis, nitric oxide production, TNF-alpha secretion and tumor cell cytotoxicity. The administration of PAC-I into allogeneic ICR mice stimulated systemic TNF-alpha production in a dose-dependent manner and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. PAC-I is thus a potent stimulator of murine macrophage and the in vitro observed tumoricidal properties of activated macrophage might account for the in vivo antitumor properties of PAC-I. Our research findings may have therapeutic implications in tumor immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aloe* / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Immunologic Factors / isolation & purification
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Macrophage Activation / drug effects*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Polysaccharides / isolation & purification
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, IgG / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Polysaccharides
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nitric Oxide