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 7,12-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 2.8 mg.kg^-1 BW of DMBA as carcinogen agent for ten times within four weeks, then continuously treated with 400 and 800 mg.kg^-1 BW of S. javanica berries leaves extracts daily for two weeks. Treatment groups in this study were vehicle as negative control, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg^-1 BW as positive control; BD1 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg^-1 + berries extracts 400 mg.kg^-1 BW; BD2 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg^-1 + berries extracts 800 mg.kg^-1 BW; LD1 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg^-1 + leaves extract 400 mg.kg¹ BW; and LD2 group, DMBA 2.8 mg.kg^-1 + leaves extract 800 mg.kg^-1 BW. The relative number of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD62L⁺ cells and CD4⁺CD62L⁺ cells were measured and analyzed by using flow cytometer. Results: DMBA induction decreased the relative number of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD62L⁺ cells while the leaves extract of S. javanica significantly increased their expression. Furthermore, DMBA promoted the relative number of CD4⁺CD62L⁺ 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.