Epithelial and mesenchymal cells isolated from the amniotic membrane (AM) possess stem cell characteristics, differentiation potential toward lineages of different germ layers, and immunomodulatory properties. While their expansion and differentiation potential have been well studied and characterized, knowledge about their immunomodulatory properties and the mechanisms involved is still incomp...

Flavonoids are potentially immunomodulatory factors and it may be inferred that these phytochemicals contribute to immunomodulatory properties of the Allium family. In the present study, we investigated the potential mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effect of shallot and its ethyl acetate (EA) fraction as flavonoid-rich sources. Ex vivo, effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of shallot, ...

Plants and mushrooms are used for medicinal purposes and the screening of molecules possessing biological activities. A single plant or mushroom may produce both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on immune cells, depending on experimental conditions, but the reason behind this dichotomy remains obscure. We present here a large body of experimental data showing that water extracts of plants and...

Plants gums are complex mixtures of different polysaccharides with a variety of biological activities and pharmaceutical applications. Few studies have focused on physicochemical and biological properties of gums obtained from different plants. This study was designed to determine potential pharmaceutical and pharmacological values of the gum exudates and its isolated biopolymers obtained from ...

Plants gums are complex mixtures of different polysaccharides with a variety of biological activities and pharmaceutical applications. Few studies have focused on physicochemical and biological properties of gums obtained from different plants. This study was designed to determine potential pharmaceutical and pharmacological values of the gum exudates and its isolated biopolymers obtained from ...

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) causes potentially fatal bacterial sepsis and meningitis in susceptible individuals, but induces protective immunity in asymptomatic carriers. Nm naturally sheds outer membrane vesicles (NOMVs) that contain a high proportion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and outer membrane proteins. NOMVs are known to induce serum bactericidal antibodies in mice and humans, but their i...