Immunomodulatory Response of Neem Leaves Extract and its use in Treating Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Overview

Inflammation is the process our body uses to combat infection, allergy, or injury. Solutions available have many side-effects and are not safe for long -term use. The goal of this project was to find a natural anti - inflammatory specifically targeting neutrophils and macrophages. The hypothesis was that medicinal plant extracts have compounds that attenuate the response of activated leukocytes to resolve inflammation. To test, neem leaves extract was prepared using 80% methanol for extraction. First, the extract was tested on neutrophils and macrophages and showed no toxicity. Then, the extract was tested on neutrophils for intracellular reactive oxygen species production (ROS) and degranulation upon stimulation with Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA). Results sh owed that the extract significantly reduced ROS production and inhibited granules movement in PMA stimulated neutrophils. The extract was tested on cells for production of cytokines in response to PMA or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the presence of extract , a significant reduction in the expression of pro -inflammatory cytokines was observed when compared to PMA or LPS stimulated leukocytes. Furthermore, the ability of neem extract to accelerate apoptosis in neutrophils and its clearance by macrophages was evaluated. The treated neutrophils showed accelerated apoptosis and these cells were more efficiently removed by macrophages. The effect of the extract on the metabolic activity of HaCaT skin cell line was checked and showed no effect on the cell metabolic activity or proliferation. This project concludes that neem extract quietens the activated neutrophils and macrophage responses and has potential to be a safe, effective anti-inflammatory substitute.

Competition history

• JSHS 2024 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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