A combination of two medicinal plants can stimulate the immune response in general and specifically after vaccination against the influenza virus.
A combination of the plant extracts Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis can significantly increase antibodies after flu vaccination in healthy adults, according to a new study by pharmaceutical company KGK Science Inc.
Total levels of IgA (immunoglobulin A) and IgG (immunoglobulin G) increased in people who received the botanical combination, compared to placebo, while influenza B-specific IgG increased nearly 20% during the 28-day post-vaccination period, according to data published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association.
MEDICINAL PLANTS IMPROVE HUMORAL IMMUNITY
This type of adaptive immune response is known as “humoral immunity.” The response of the humoral immune system through the production of antibodies after vaccination is considered a useful measure that correlates with specific protection, the study scientists explain.
KGK scientists conducted a parallel, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study with 50 healthy adults aged 40 to 80 years. Participants were divided into one of three groups: a placebo group, a group that received Acacia catechu and Scutellaria baicalensis, and a third group that received a mixture of aloe vera gel powder, rosemary and Poria cocos extracts.
ACACIA CATECHU AND SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS INCREASE THE PRODUCTION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST INFLUENZA
The immune status of the participants was analyzed 28 days before vaccination and 28 days after. The results showed that the group taking the two medicinal plants showed significant increases in total IgA and IgG levels in the immediate post-vaccination period of 28 days. During this period, influenza B-specific IgG increased by 19.4%. From day 0 to day 56, influenza B-specific IgG increased by 11.6%.
This suggests that a 56-day supplementation with the mixture of the two plants may be beneficial in generating a robust humoral response after vaccination, the researchers have claimed.
THEY ALSO REDUCE OXIDATION CAUSED BY THE VACCINE.
The data also showed that serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased during the initial 28-day pre-vaccination period with supplementation. The GSH-Px enzyme is part of the antioxidant defense system that maintains redox homeostasis and plays a critical role in mitigating oxidative stress generated by influenza infection.
Administration of live attenuated influenza vaccines causes an increase in biomarkers of oxidative stress in the breath of healthy participants. Therefore, the combination of two medicinal plants may be beneficial in reducing the response to oxidative stress after vaccination.
PROPERTIES OF ACACIA CATECHU
Acacia catechu extract has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It has hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive, antimicrobial, free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.
In addition, recent studies have shown that Acacia catechu exerts spasmolytic and antispastic activities in vitro by interacting with calcium channels and muscarinic receptors, without affecting lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, the most represented intestinal species, suggesting that it may benefit patients suffering from diarrhea.
PROPERTIES OF SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS
Scutellaria baicalensis, also known as “huang qin” or Chinese skullcap, is a root extract used in traditional medicine. It is often used in combination with other herbs. Most studies have been conducted in the laboratory rather than in humans, and suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
There are studies on the effectiveness of this plant, alone or in combination with other species, in the treatment of cancer, arthritis and hepatitis. Cancer studies have been done in laboratory cultures, not in people. Its consumption is not advised if you are taking anticoagulant medications, statins or cytochrome CYP450.
