In vitro investigations on the effect of peat humic substances on inflammation

摘要

With the objective of understanding the role of humic substances in inflammation,the influence of humic and fulvic acids on the release of the inflammation marker TNF-α in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated and non-stimulated U937 cells was investigated.Humic substances were isolated by conventional alkaline extraction and acid precipitation methods from a peatland in the Lower Lusatia region (Germany).Using a sandwich ELISA technique for TNF-α determination the results show that neither humic nor fulvic acids develop a pro-inflammatory effect in non-stimulated cells.In LPS-stimulated cells,however,low humic acid concentrations cause a significant increase of TNF-α release which is reversed at higher humic acid concentrations (anti-inflammatory effect).Fulvic acids did not activate LPS-induced cellular defence reactions.Basing on the results the necessity of pre-examining the TNF-α releasing potential of humic substances intended for cosmetic,body care and medical use should be considered.^