Effect of a garlic derivative (alliin) on peripheral blood cell immune responses

The in vitro effect of the garlic derivative alliin, on the mitogen induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and cytokine produc tion was examined. In addition, its effect on the engulfing capacity of pha gocyting cells was evaluated. The results showed an increase in pokeweed mi togen (PWM) induced cell proliferation, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha production, as well as in the engulfing capacity of both percentage of phagocyting cel ls and number of latex particles phagocytized by each individual cell. The Con-A induced cell proliferation and IL-6 production decreased following in cubation with alliin, whereas PHA-induced cell proliferation, IL-2 and supe roxide anion generation remained unchanged. It is concluded that alliin in vitro exerts an immunomodulatory effect on c ertain functions of the peripheral blood cells. (C) 1999 International Soci ety for Immunopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.