Modulation of cytokine production from cultured mononuclear cells of leukemia patients by Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra methanolic extract

The effect of Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra (Family: Hypericaceae) methanolic extract on an in vitro cytokine release (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17A and IFN-γ) from cultured mononuclear cells was determined. The cells were obtained from acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemic (AML) Iraqi patients. Two concentrations (1.146 and 1.719 µg/ml) of the extract were tested. They were correspondent to 20 and 30%, respectively of the plant IC50 (5.73 µg/ml). Chemical analysis of the extract showed its richness in flavonoids (115.73 µg/ml). Assessments of cytokine levels in supernatants of cultured cells revealed that ALL, AML or control cells responded differently to the plant extract in their production of IL-2, IL-10, IL-17A and IFN-γ, but leukemic cells were better than control cells in their response, while there was no effect on IL-4 production. The results suggested that H. triquetrifolium methanolic extract exerted immunomodulatory effects on cultured cells.