Abstract

Amaranthus spinosus L. (thorny amaranth) is traditionally selected to be an anti-diabetic herb in Taiwan. This study assessed the immuno-modulatory effects of wild A. spinosus water extract (WASWE) on spontaneous and dexamethasone (DEX)-induced apoptosis in murine primary splenocytes. The cultured splenocytes treated with WASWE products were harvested and analyzed to assess their apoptotic status according to DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed WASWE inhibited the spontaneous and DEX-induced apoptosis of splenocytes. Furthermore, both WASWE and its activated charcoal-treated sample administered at concentration of 1.250 mg/mL inhibited intracellular protein levels of p53 (an apoptotic inducer protein) and p80 (a form of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor), which are involved in apoptosis. The present study suggested the existence of a heat-labile anti-apoptotic component with high molecular weight in WASWE.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.