Almond Skin Inhibits HSV-2 Replication in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Modulating the Cytokine Network

Molecules. 2015 May 15;20(5):8816-22. doi: 10.3390/molecules20058816.

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of almond skin extracts on the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were either infected or not by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), with and without prior treatment with almond skin extracts. Production of IL-17 induced by HSV-2 was inhibited by natural skins (NS) treatment. NS triggered PBMC in releasing IFN-α, IFN-γ and IL-4 in cellular supernatants. These results may explain the antiviral potential of almond skins.

Keywords: HSV-2; IL-17; almond skins; cytokines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-17 / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Prunus dulcis / chemistry*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interleukin-17
  • Plant Extracts
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma