The immunotoxicity of Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis and Galenia africana

Abstract

Increased use of pesticides has resulted in increased concern about the adverse effects on non-target organisms, including humans. Due to increasing awareness there is great pressure to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides. An alternative to the use of synthetic pesticides is the exploitation of natural botanical products with pesticidal potential.

D. rhinocerotis and G. africana exhibit antifungal properties against Botrytis cinerea. This paper describes the immunotoxicity of extracts of D. rhinocerotis and G. africana on mouse spleenocytes. Spleen cell cultures were prepared and exposed to varying concentrations of D. rhinocerotis and G. africana. Control cultures were exposed to the DMSO vehicle only. Results obtained showed that both D. rhinocerotis and G. africana have immunomodulatory effects. Exposure of cell cultures to both extracts resulted in a decrease in both IL-4 and IFN-D. rhinocerotis and G. africana exhibit antifungal properties against Botrytis cinerea. This paper describes the immunotoxicity of extracts of D. rhinocerotis and G. africana on mouse spleenocytes. Spleen cell cultures were prepared and exposed to varying concentrations of D. rhinocerotis and G. africana. Control cultures were exposed to the DMSO vehicle only. Results obtained showed that both D. rhinocerotis and G. africana have immunomodulatory effects. Exposure of cell cultures to both extracts resulted in a decrease in both IL-4 and IFN-

D. rhinocerotis and G. africana exhibit antifungal properties against Botrytis cinerea. This paper describes the immunotoxicity of extracts of D. rhinocerotis and G. africana on mouse spleenocytes. Spleen cell cultures were prepared and exposed to varying concentrations of D. rhinocerotis and G. africana. Control cultures were exposed to the DMSO vehicle only. Results obtained showed that both D. rhinocerotis and G. africana have immunomodulatory effects. Exposure of cell cultures to both extracts resulted in a decrease in both IL-4 and IFN-

. The cytokine inhibition was concentration dependent.