Ex vivo effects of flavonoids extracted from Artemisia herba alba on cytokines and nitric oxide production in Algerian patients with Adamantiades-Behcet's disease

Background: Adamantiades-Behcet's disease (ABD) is a chronic multisystemic inflammation with unknown pathophysiology. This disorder is associated with a dysregulation of the cytokine network that hyperactivates neutrophils and macrophages. In this study, we investigate the modulatory effects of flavonoid compounds extracted from Algerian medicinal plant Artemisia herba alba on Th1 and Th2 cytokines and nitric oxide production. Methods: The modulatory effects of flavonoids extracted from Artemisia herba alba on cytokines and nitric oxide production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from Algerian ABD patients and healthy controls were respectively measured by means of ELISA assays and Griess modified method. Results: Our results show that flavonoids significantly reduce the production of interleukin-12, the key effector of T helper 1 (Th1) cells and nitric oxide in a dose-dependent manner in Adamantiades-Behcet's disease. In contrast, the production of IL-4, the key marker of Th2 cells was increased. Conclusion: This study suggests that in vitro supplementation with flavonoids extracted from Artemisia herba alba could have potential immuno-modulatory effects characterised by a down-regulation and up-regulation of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, respectively. Moreover, flavonoids may prevent nitric oxide induced damages.