Immuno-modulatory effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Aloe Vera on cultured Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and adherent mononuclear cells

Complementary and alternative therapeutic measures off-late have gained significance because they have been shown to be clinically efficient with minimal side effects compared to mainstream treatments. Plant medicines are far and away safer, gentler and better for human health than synthetic drugs and with much less side effects. Aloe vera and Curcuma longa are two of such plants, which have been proven to have medicinal properties by several groups of researchers. However, the exact effect of these extracts on cultured human adherent and non-adherent cells is still controversial. Very few studies have been done in this regard. Adherent and non-adherent cells in humans form a very important component of immune system. Studying the effect of Aloe vera and Curcuma longa on these cells, can go a long way in understanding the immuno-modulatory effects of these plants. In this study, we tested the immuno-modulatory effects of mannan from Aloe Vera and Curcumin from turmeric rhizome using human cells (PBMC). We used cell culture and Bradford's protein estimation methods and determined that mannan inhibits the proliferative response in human PBMCs, whereas Curcumin has a proliferative response towards human PBMCs.