Mojica-Henshaw Mariluz P, Francisco Angelica D, De Guzman Florecita, Tigno Xenia T
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines.
Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2003;29(3-4):219-29.
Carica papaya seed extract is currently being marketed as a nutritional supplement with purported ability "to rejuvenate the body condition and to increase energy". The product claims to improve immunity against common infection and body functioning. The present study was initiated to analyze the chemical constituents of the Carica Seed Extract and determine the potential immunomodulatory properties of the different bioactive fractions. These immunomodulatory activities of crude Carica Seed Extract and its bioactive fractions were examined in vitro using lymphocyte proliferation assays and complement-mediated hemolytic assay. Three major observations were made in this study: (1) the crude Carica Seed Extract and two other bioactive fractions significantly enhanced the phytohemagglutinin responsiveness of lymphocytes; (2) none of the Carica Seed Extract (at the concentrations used in this study) was able to protect the lymphocytes from the toxic effects of chromium; and (3) some of the bioactive fractions of Carica Seed Extract were able to significantly inhibit the classical complement-mediated hemolytic pathway. These findings provide evidence for immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory actions of Carica Seed Extract. No single compound is likely responsible for these activities. Further purification, isolation and characterization of the active components are needed.
番木瓜籽提取物目前作为一种营养补充剂进行销售，据称具有“恢复身体状况和增强能量”的能力。该产品宣称能提高对常见感染的免疫力和身体机能。本研究旨在分析番木瓜籽提取物的化学成分，并确定不同生物活性组分的潜在免疫调节特性。使用淋巴细胞增殖试验和补体介导的溶血试验在体外检测了粗制番木瓜籽提取物及其生物活性组分的这些免疫调节活性。本研究有三个主要发现：（1）粗制番木瓜籽提取物和其他两种生物活性组分显著增强了淋巴细胞对植物血凝素的反应性；（2）番木瓜籽提取物（在本研究使用的浓度下）均不能保护淋巴细胞免受铬的毒性作用；（3）番木瓜籽提取物的一些生物活性组分能够显著抑制经典补体介导的溶血途径。这些发现为番木瓜籽提取物的免疫刺激和抗炎作用提供了证据。这些活性不太可能由单一化合物引起。需要对活性成分进行进一步的纯化、分离和表征。
