In vitro and in vivo effects of Tribulus terrestris on immunological parameters, lymphocyte proliferation, and DNA integrity in sheep

Abstract

There are limited studies in which mechanistic action of Tribulus terrestris extract (TTE) on the immune system of small ruminants have been investigated. This research was carried out on 20 rams divided into control and treated groups (n = 10 each). The treated rams received 1.5 g/head/day of TTE for consecutive 45 days. In vitro, lymphocyte culturing was carried out using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In vivo and in vitro evaluations of lymphocyte transformation, comet assay, IL-6, and TNF-α were performed, as well as in vivo serum MDA and GSH. The body weight of rams treated with TTE was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that in control. Lymphocyte transformation was significantly induced in treated rams. Interestingly, the 0.5 μl/mL of TTE induced (P < 0.05) the lymphocyte transformation in PBMC cultured in vitro compared to that in control and 1 μl/mL of TTE treated cells. A dose of 0.5 μl/mL of TTE significantly (P < 0.05) induced the level of IL-6 in vitro compared to that in control and 1 μl/mL of TTE treated cells. TNF-α didn’t show a significant change in vivo and in vitro. The in vivo treatment with TTE decreased the percentage of lymphocyte DNA in the comet tail in treated rams. Additionally, in vitro addition of TTE either in 0.5 or 1 μl/mL to the PBMC culture significantly (P < 0.01) affected the DNA integrity. Serum MDA was significantly reduced, while GSH were significantly induced in TTE treated rams than the control group. In conclusion, TTE could modulate the immune functions and induce lymphocyte transformation in rams.