Abstract
The purpose of this study was to detect the immunomodulatory activity of Indigofera coerulea on the cytokine's expression in the THP-1 human cell line. THP-1 cell lines were differentiated into real macrophages. Cell's viability was assessed by MTT assay. The qRT-PCR assay was used to determine the effects of the I. coerulea extract on mRNA expression levels in THP-1 cells. The effects of extracts on proteins production were analyzed by Western blot assay and protein array. The ELISA was used to determine the effect of the plant extract on cytokine expression. Finally, apoptosis, phagocytosis, and cell migration assays were performed to investigate the effects of the extract on macrophage functions. The obtained results illustrated that I. coerulea extract possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, current study reported that I. coerulea extract significantly reduced the proliferation of THP-1 cells at all-time points. Moreover, I. coerulea extract showed significant immunomodulatory activity compared with control macrophages by influencing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6, CCL22, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL8/IL-8, ERK5, BAX, BcL2, Cyclin D1, ERK1, P-IκB-α, P-NF-κB, and P-p38 proteins and the signaling pathways of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and IL-6/JAK/STAT3. In conclusion, this study is the first to underline the anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-phagocytic, anti-apoptotic, and anti-migratory properties of the studied plant extract in human monocytic THP-1 cells.