Immunotropic properties of polysaccharides isolated from shoots of Alma-Ata hawthorn (Crataegus almaatensis Pojark.) and soft hawthorn (Crataegus submollis Sarg.) Administration of hawthorn polysaccharides stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses in mice.

Background. Polysaccharides and oligosaccharides extracted from the fruits and flowers of various hawthorn species (Crataegus spp.) exhibit a variety of effects, including anticoagulant and hypolipidemic actions, as well as antioxidant and probiotic properties. Therefore, studying the immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharides isolated from the shoots of Alma-Ata hawthorn (Crataegus almaatensis Pojark.) and soft hawthorn (Crataegus submollis Sarg.) is undoubtedly interesting. Aim. The aim of this study is to examine the immunotropic effects of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPs) extracted from the shoots of Alma-Ata hawthorn (Crataegus almaatensis Pojark.) and soft hawthorn (Crataegus submollis Sarg.). Materials and Methods. The study examined water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Alma-Ata and soft hawthorn shoots through a process of extraction, filtration, dialysis, and lyophilization. WSPs were administered intraperitoneally to C57BL/6 mice at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The control group received a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and the comparison group received 20 μg/kg of glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide for 10 days. The effect of WSPs on the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by sheep erythrocyte administration was investigated. In vitro, WSPs were added to the culture medium at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. The production of IL-1β, TNF-α, NO, arginase activity and cell proliferation in peritoneal macrophage culture were studied, as well as the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in mouse splenocytes culture. Results. The course application of WSPs stimulated the humoral immune response in experimental animals. Adding WSPs to the culture medium increased IL-1β and TNF-α production, enhanced nitric oxide synthase activity, reduced arginase induction by macrophages, and increased the spontaneous production of IL-2 and stimulated production of IFN-γ by C57BL/6 mouse splenocytes. Conclusion. The use of WSPs isolated from the shoots of Alma-Ata hawthorn and soft hawthorn led to an increase in the number of antibody-producing cells after immunization with sheep erythrocytes, an increase in the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NO by macrophages, and IL-2, and IFN-γ by splenocytes of C57BL/6 mice.