Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The antioxidant property of methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves was determined by measuring hydrogen peroxide scavenging and DPPH scavenging activity. The effect on cellular immunity in vivo was determined by measuring neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance, sheep red blood cell induced DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated on human leukaemia cell line (HL-60) by MTT assay, caspase-3 activity, and cell cycle study. Results: The methanolic extract of Bombax ceiba leaves showed antioxidant activity and significantly increased neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance from blood, DTH response and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. The MTT assay showed a significant increase in the death of HL-60 cell line. A rise in caspase-3 activity and sub-G

BACKGROUND: Fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus, can cause chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and modulate host innate immune components. The objective of this study was to examine the serum levels of T helper (Th) cell subset Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines and total IgE in patients having chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and Aspergillus flavus infection. METHODS: A case-control study including 40 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and 20 healthy controls was conducted. Aspergillus flavus infection was confirmed by standard potassium hydroxide (KOH) testing, culture, and PCR. Serum samples of all patients and controls were analyzed for various cytokines (interleukins [IL]-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-27, TGF-β) and total IgE by ELISA. Data from patients with Aspergillus flavus infection and healthy volunteers were compared using the independent t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Aspergillus flavus infection was found in 31 (77.5%) patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. IL-1β, IL-17, IL-21, and TGF-β serum levels were significantly higher in these patients than in controls; however, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-27 levels were lower. Compared with nine (22.5%) patients without Aspergillus flavus infection, IL-17 level was higher while IL-2 level was lower in patients with Aspergillus flavus infection. Total IgE was significantly higher in patients with Aspergillus flavus infection than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of IL-17 and its regulatory cytokines in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis infected by Aspergillus flavus raise a concern about effective disease management and therapeutic recovery. Surgical removal of the nasal polyp being the chief management option, the choice of post-operative drugs may differ in eosinophilic vs. non-eosinophilic nasal polyposis. The prognosis is likely poor, warranting extended care.
Aspergillus flavus* ; Aspergillus* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; Disease Management ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Fungi ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-27 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Nasal Polyps ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Potassium ; Prognosis