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Induction of Interferon-Gamma (IFN-γ) and T Helper 1 (Th1) Immune Response by Bitter Gourd Extract

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally wih 34 different types of vegetable juices, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were measured as markers for the induction of Th1 and Th2 cells, respectively. Serum IFN-gamma level was markedly increased in mice inoculated with bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) juice, but IL-4 levels were not increased with any of the 34 vegetable juices. Testing of the various components of bitter gourd, including peel, pulp, and seed, showed that the pulp induced the highest levels of IFN-gamma. Trial immunogen including the heat extract of the pulp induced specific IgG(2a) antibody of the mice serum inoculated with this immunogen. These results demonstrate that bitter gourd pulp induced IFN-gamma production and show its promise as a means of effective immunostimulatory therapy specific for Th1 cells and IFN-gamma production.

Source: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

DOI: 10.1292/jvms.67.521

Authors: Kazunori IKE, Yuko UCHIDA, Tomohiko NAKAMURA, Soichi IMAI

Institution: Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University

Language: English

Topic: Immunotherapy and Immune Responses

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W2092939705

FWCI: 0.228

Cites: 19

Cited by: 30

Related to: 10