Arctigenin from Arctium lappa inhibits interleukin-2 and interferon gene expression in primary human T lymphocytes
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The proliferation of T lymphocytes (T-cells) in the human immune system is facilitate by two prominent cytokines, interleukins and interferon. Ironically the immune response can be excessive and lead to serious diseases or even death. Therefore immunomodulatory medications that suppress the immune system are needed to carefully regulate the body’s response to harmful antigens. This study looked at the effect of arctigenin, the main components of A. lappa (burdock root), on T cell proliferation. The researchers concluded that arctigenin inhibited the production of the two cytokines and thereby suppressed the proliferation of T cells.
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Published:
Chinese Medicine 2011, 6:12
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Attribution:
Wigdan Al-Sukhni, MD, Ami Grunbaum, Md, Neil Fleshner, MD Division of Urology, The Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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