Effect of Euphorbia humifusa Willd extract on the amelioration of innate immune responses

Abstract

Euphorbia humifusa Willd is an annual plant widely used as a vegetable and traditional medicinal herb. E. humifusa Willd displays a variety of pharmacological actions; however, the effect of E. humifusa Willd on the innate immune response has not been well characterized. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an E. humifusa Willd methanolic extract (EuH) on the activation of innate immune cells. Here, we found that the EuH increased the expression of the innate cytokines, TNFα and IL-1β, in THP-1 monocytes and THP-1-derived macrophages. In addition, the EuH enhanced the phagocytosis of THP-1-derived macrophages. These findings suggest that E. humifusa Willd may be helpful for preventing bacterial infection and could be developed as a dietary supplement for ameliorating innate immune response.