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.