Adjuvant effect of an extract from Cochinchina momordica seeds on the immune responses to ovalbumin in mice

Abstract

The seed of the Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng as a traditional Chinese medicine has been utilized in China for more than 1 200 years. It is traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory swelling, scrofula, tinea, diarrhea as well as suppurative skin infections such as sore, carbuncles, furuncles and boils in both humans and animals. In this study, an extract from Cochinchina momordica seeds (ECMS) is evaluated for its adjuvant effect and safety. The results suggest that when co-administered with ECMS in Balb/c mice, ovalbumin (OVA, 10 μg) may induce significantly higher specific antibody production than OVA used alone (P<0.05). Analysis of antibody isotypes indicates that the ECMS can promote the production of both IgG1 and IgG2a, but favor the IgG2a. Splenocyte proliferative responses to concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharides or OVA are significantly higher in mice immunized with OVA mixed with ECMS than immunized with OVA alone or mixed with aluminum hydroxide (P<0.05). No local reactions and negative effects on the body weight gain occurred after the injection of OVA mixed with various amounts of ECMS in mice. Therefore, the ECMS is safe for injection and can be used as a potential vaccine adjuvant biasing the production of IgG2a in mice.

Key words： extract of Cochinchina momordica seed; adjuvant; Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China as well as Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province of China. We are grateful to Mr. Hu L Q and Luo J H for their assistance in extraction of ECMS, to Mrs. Sun J H for her assistance in lymphocyte proliferative test.

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