Effects of Curcuma longa L., Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. and Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino on Cytokine Production in Stimulated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Tuberculosis.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) infection triggers the innate and adaptive immune responses. Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino, and Curcuma longa L. extracts exhibit various immunomodulatory effects. Objective This study aimed to determine the effects of 3 extracts used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with TB. Design The research team performed an in vitro study with self controls. Setting The study took place at the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Participants 18 patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB were enrolled in the study. Intervention Purified protein derivative (PPD)-stimulated PBMCs were cultured for 48 h in the presence and absence of 0.05 or 0.1 mg/mL of herbal extracts. Outcome measures Cytokine levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the culture supernatant were measured. Results C longa L., E ulmoides Oliv. and G pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino extracts decreased IFN-γ production in PPD-stimulated PBMCs. C longa L. extract did not exhibit a marked and consistent effect on the production of IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α and TGF-β1. E ulmoides Oliv. extract increased the production of IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β1. G pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino extract increased the production of IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α and TGF-β1. Conclusion These results show that G pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino might enhance cell immunity since it increased the production of IL-12 and TNF-α with dose effect.