Determination of interferon-γ level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells treated with Gynura procumbens ethanolic extract / Hanalene Deliza Husaini

Interferon-gamma is a type of cytokine that is responsible for mediating the immune response by increasing the activity macrophages, controlling the inflammatory response and more. However, excessive production of interferon-gamma would potentially lead to autoimmune diseases. Gynura procumbens, a type of herb has been used by the locals for its wide range of therapeutic properties against diseases. Gynura procumbens have shown to activate the proliferation T helper lymphocytes which are one of the main producers of interferon-gamma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of Gynura procumbens by measuring the level of interferon-γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). Supernatant of PBMC cultures treated with Gynura procumbens ethanolic extract were aspirated and analysed using Luminex® assay. Results demonstrated no exact value (<49.259 ρg/ml) for all test because the concentration was too low for the detection range of the kit. This may indicate that Gynura procumbens did not stimulate the production of interferon-gamma, thus did not affect the immune system. This, in turn, leads to the fact that Gynura procumbens is safe to be consumed without toxic effects. This study should be repeated with a broader standard range of interferon-gamma in order to obtain an exact value of the concentration of interferon-gamma.