Effects of Gentiana scabra var. buergeri Extract on Toxoplasmastic Activity of Macrophages

Gentiana scabra var. buergeri (G. scabra) is a herb known to have therapeutic effect in infection diseases. We studied cellular activation and antitoxoplasmosis in macrophages after G. scabra stimulation. Macrophage activation was detected by nitrite production. Macrophages were treated with G. scabra extracted with water or methanol. Maximal nitrite production was detected in macrophages after stimulation of G. scabra extract 0.1 mg/ml. Maximal nitrite concentration was 23.22 0.003 uM/L in macrophages after water extract of G. scabra and was 24.07 1.41 uM/L after methanol extract of G. scabra. Effect of G. scabra in the phagocytic capacity of macrophages was monitored by using PI (percentage of macrophage infected by T gondii) method. The minimum PI (42.5 2.31) was detected in macrophages treated by water extract of G. scabra 0.1 mg/ml before infection of T gondii. We also examined toxoplasmastatic capacity of macrophage using FI (fold increase) method. The minimum FI (4.46 1.16) was shown in macrophages after water extract of G. scabra 0.1 mg/ml pretreatment before infection. Under electron microscope, proliferation of T gondii was inhibited by extract of G. scabra treatment in macrophages and the mitochondrion and lysosomal vacuoles within cells were increased. Taken together, G. scabra extract activates macrophages and induces toxopalsmastatic activity after T gondii infection. It is suggested that G. scabra may be used as a therapeutic drug against toxoplasmosis.