MS14, a Marine Herbal Medicine, an Immunosuppressive Drug in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Abbas Ebrahimi Kalan; Jafar Soleimani Rad; Laya Kafami; Daryoush Mohamadnezhad; Amir Afshin Khaki; Amaneh Mohammadi Roushandeh

doi:10.5812/ircmj.16956

MS14, a Marine Herbal Medicine, an Immunosuppressive Drug in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014 Jul;16(7):e16956. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.16956. Epub 2014 Jul 5.

Authors

Abbas Ebrahimi Kalan¹, Jafar Soleimani Rad², Laya Kafami³, Daryoush Mohamadnezhad², Amir Afshin Khaki², Amaneh Mohammadi Roushandeh⁴

Affiliations

¹ Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran ; Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Tehran, IR Iran.
² Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
³ Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Tehran, IR Iran ; Pathobiology Department, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, IR Iran.
⁴ Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran ; Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, IR Iran.

Abstract

Background: Cytokines are secreted signaling proteins which play essential roles in immune responses during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a demyelinating model that mimics many features of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by different cells, mediating inflammatory reactions and immune-mediated processes. Several studies have described immunosuppressive potentials of several herbal medicines. MS14 as an Iranian marine herbal medicine has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.

Objectives: The present study investigated the immunosuppressive potential of MS14 as an herbal drug as well as the IL-6 level in EAE model. We hope it will be a new approach for neurologic diseases and autoimmune originated diseases therapy.

Patients and methods: The present experimental study was a collaboration between Department of Anatomical Sciences of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Shefa Neuroscience Research Center of Tehran. We used 30 C57BL/6 mice. The animals were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) to induce EAE and treated with MS14-containing (30%) diets. Subjects were selected by simple random sampling and then they were randomly allocated to two groups. EAE symptoms were assessed using the standard 10-point EAE scoring system from the seventh to the 35th day after immunization. Afterwards, the spleen was removed and its cells were cultured with or without MOG 35-55; then, the IL-6 level was analyzed by ELISA. In addition, histopathological studies were carried out for demyelination lesion evaluation in the spinal cord.

Results: MS14 significantly improved clinical symptoms of EAE compared with the control (P < 0.05). It also suppressed proliferative responses of T cells and decreased IL-6 expression (16.93 ± 2.7 vs. 21.4 ± 3.33) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Our results strongly suggested that IL-6 as a potential molecule could have a role in neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation, which is in congruent with previous studies. Therefore, it can be a clear target in strategic therapies and support effective properties of phytotherapy in EAE and MS treatment.

Keywords: EAE; Herbal Medicine; Interleukin-6.