T cells regulation modulated by Sambucus javanica extracts in DMBA-exposed mice

Introduction: Sambucus is a genus of the Adoxaceae family and has been widely used as a food and medicinal source. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of S. javanica extracts toward T cells regulation in the ۷,۱۲-dimethylbenzene (a) anthracene (DMBA)-exposed mice. Methods: Thirty mice were used in this experiment which divided into six treatment groups and five times repetition. Three-month-old BALB/c mice were administrated with ۲.۸ mg.kg-۱ BW of DMBA as carcinogen agent for ten times within four weeks, then continuously treated with ۴۰۰ and ۸۰۰ mg.kg-۱ BW of S. javanica berries leaves extracts daily for two weeks. Treatment groups in this study were vehicle as negative control, DMBA ۲.۸ mg.kg-۱ BW as positive control; BD۱ group, DMBA ۲.۸ mg.kg-۱ + berries extracts ۴۰۰ mg.kg-۱ BW; BD۲ group, DMBA ۲.۸ mg.kg-۱ + berries extracts ۸۰۰ mg.kg-۱ BW; LD۱ group, DMBA ۲.۸ mg.kg-۱ + leaves extract ۴۰۰ mg.kg۱ BW; and LD۲ group, DMBA ۲.۸ mg.kg-۱ + leaves extract ۸۰۰ mg.kg-۱ BW. The relative number of CD۴+CD۲۵+CD۶۲L+ cells and CD۴+CD۶۲L+ cells were measured and analyzed by using flow cytometer. Results: DMBA induction decreased the relative number of CD۴+CD۲۵+CD۶۲L+ cells while the leaves extract of S. javanica significantly increased their expression. Furthermore, DMBA promoted the relative number of CD۴+CD۶۲L+ cells expression while leaves and berries extracts of S. javanica sharply suppressed its expression. Conclusion: The results suggest that, S. javanica extracts may exert their medicinal properties by modulating T cells regulation in DMBA-induced mice.