Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) ingredients affect lymphocyte subtypes expansion and cytokine profile responses: An in vitro evaluation

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) has been used in folk medicine in many disorders. The present work aimed to investigate effects of clove essential oil as eugenol and water soluble ingredients on mouse splenocytes. Clove extracts were harvested and in different concentrations (0.001–1000 μg/mL) were affected to splenocytes and also phytohemagglutinin (PHA = 5 μg/mL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS = 10 μg/mL) activated splenocytes; then splenocytes proliferation assayed using the MTT ([3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide]) method were done. On the culture supernatant interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cytokines were measured. Clove ingredients (100 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL) reduced PHA stimulated splenocytes proliferation and enhanced LPS stimulated cells expansion. Treated splenocytes showed suppression of IFN-γ release and induction of IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β secretion (in the range of 0.1–1000 μg/mL). The results of this study suggest clove extracts could suppress the T cell cellular immunity and enhance humoral immune responses. In clove affection cytokine pattern shifted toward modulatory and Th2 responses and accelerator of humoral immunity cytokines.