Barberry's (Berberis integerrima) ingredients suppress T-cell response and shift immune responses toward Th2: an in vitro study

AIM: Food and medicinal applications of barberry date back to 2500 years ago. This study investigates Berberis integerrima impact on lymphocytic immune responses. MATERIALS & METHODS: Balb/c splenocytes were treated by 0.001–1000 μg/ml of B. integerrimaaqueous and alcoholic extracts in presence of phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide mitogens. Cell proliferation was assayed and cytokines were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Both extracts suppressed proliferation of phytohemagglutinin stimulated splenocytes (as T cells), while alcoholic extract induced expansion of lipopolysaccharide activated cells (as B lymphocytes) and unstimulated cells (p < 0.05). Both barberry extracts suppressed IFN-γ production (p < 0.05) and enhanced IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β release from splenocytes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both extracts could suppress T-cell and enhance B-cell proliferation and shift immune responses toward Th2.