[Stimulatory action of Brassica oleracea var. sabauda (Savoy) on mycobacteria and mycobacterial infection (author's transl)].

Eleven vegetable species were investigated for the presence of growth-stimulating activity on mycobacteria. It was found that savoy juice (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda), given orally, posessed a pronounced stimulating effect on M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. kansasii, M. avium and M. intracellulare serotype Davis in the serum of experimental animals when tested in auxanograms (Table 1). Another 2 species, paprica (Capsicum frutescens) and radish (Raphanus sativus var. albus) showed only insignificant stimulating activity. Oral application of savoy juice in addition to ordinary diet had an aggravating effect on guinea pigs infected peritoneally with M. kansasii. Tuberculosis of the spleen was found only in the groups treated with savoy juice (in 28.57% after administration of 1 mg and 47.36% after that of 10 mg of mycobacteria). The counts for animals with tuberculous lesions of the lung and liver were significantly higher in the groups treated with savoy juice (Table 2, Fig. 1) as compared with those for infected, but untreated guinea pigs. The possible influence of stimulating substances in vegetables on mycobacterial infection, especially during malnutrition, is discussed.