IN-VITRO STUDIES ON THE IMMUNOMODULATING EFFECTS OF POLYPODIUM-LEUCOTOMOS EXTRACT ON HUMAN-LEUKOCYTE FRACTIONS

The in vitro effect of Anapsos(R), a water based extract of the natura lly occurring fern Polypodium leucotomos (calagualine), on human leuko cyte fractions was investigated. Calagualine inhibited interleukin-2 s ecretion and concanavalin A (Con A) stimulated proliferation of T-lymp hocytes in a concentration dependent manner. In contrast, a greatly en hanced secretion of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor a was induced suggesting a stimulation of monocytes and dendritic cells also present in this system. Endotoxin induced stimulation was exclude d. Also in the absence of Con A, calagualine stimulated cytokine produ ction. The presented data show for the first time that calagualine exe rts an immunomodulating effect on leukocyte fractions, paving the way for further detailed studies related to possible clinical efficacy.