The Effect of the Pteropyrum scopianum (Jaub. & Spach) Plant Extract on Macrophage Activity
Location
John Q. Imholte Hall, Room #115
Event Website
https://2026undergraduateresearchsy.sched.com/event/2Ix8Y/the-effect-of-the-pteropyrum-scopianum-jaub-spach-plant-extract-on-macrophage-activity
Start Date
15-4-2026 4:00 PM
End Date
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Description
Pteropyrum scopianum (Jaub. & Spach), a plant that is well known in Oman, has been shown to lower various symptoms of illnesses. The medicinal characteristics of this plant could be due to its anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages, which are white blood cells that aid in the immune system and create inflammatory modulators like IL-6 and TNF-α. The hypothesis is that the plant will decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines from the macrophages. For the reference group, LPS (lipopolysaccharide) will be utilized to mimic a bacterial infection on the RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, which should make the macrophage produce pro-inflammatory cytokines to get rid of the bacteria. The experimental group will consist of the exposure of the macrophages to LPS, but with varying plant extract doses. MTT assay was used to help ensure that the plant extract is not killing the macrophages, and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) was also used to determine the IL-6 and TNF-α cytokine levels. The MTT assay showed that the cells were still alive. The ELISA showed that there was a decrease in the LPS-induced IL-6 cytokine levels, which supports the hypothesis. However, there was no difference in the LPS-induced TNF-α cytokine levels, and an increase in the non-LPS-induced TNF-α cytokine levels. These results might be due to the medicinal properties of the plant, which led us to conclude that the plant does help in reducing the inflammation generated by the macrophages.
Publication Date
2026
The Effect of the Pteropyrum scopianum (Jaub. & Spach) Plant Extract on Macrophage Activity
John Q. Imholte Hall, Room #115
Pteropyrum scopianum (Jaub. & Spach), a plant that is well known in Oman, has been shown to lower various symptoms of illnesses. The medicinal characteristics of this plant could be due to its anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages, which are white blood cells that aid in the immune system and create inflammatory modulators like IL-6 and TNF-α. The hypothesis is that the plant will decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines from the macrophages. For the reference group, LPS (lipopolysaccharide) will be utilized to mimic a bacterial infection on the RAW 264.7 murine macrophages, which should make the macrophage produce pro-inflammatory cytokines to get rid of the bacteria. The experimental group will consist of the exposure of the macrophages to LPS, but with varying plant extract doses. MTT assay was used to help ensure that the plant extract is not killing the macrophages, and ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) was also used to determine the IL-6 and TNF-α cytokine levels. The MTT assay showed that the cells were still alive. The ELISA showed that there was a decrease in the LPS-induced IL-6 cytokine levels, which supports the hypothesis. However, there was no difference in the LPS-induced TNF-α cytokine levels, and an increase in the non-LPS-induced TNF-α cytokine levels. These results might be due to the medicinal properties of the plant, which led us to conclude that the plant does help in reducing the inflammation generated by the macrophages.
https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/urs_event/2026/oralpresentations/11