Immunomodulatory Effects of Taiwanese Species on Th1 and Th2 Functionality

species, medicinal plants belonging to Lauraceae, contain rich alkaloids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids which possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. However, species differences in the immunomodulatory effects and evidence pertaining to the effects of species on adaptive immunity are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of ten Taiwanese plants on T helper (Th) cell functionality, especially Th1 and Th2. Most of the 29 crude extracts of were not toxic to splenocytes, except roots. and leaf extracts possessed differential immunomodulatory effects on Th1/Th2 balance. var. and leaf extracts attenuated both Th1 and Th2 cytokines while dramatically suppressed IFN- production. As var. and leaf extracts significantly attenuated Th1 functionality, we further evaluated their effects on CD4 cells under CD3/CD28 stimulation. var. significantly suppressed IFN-, IL-10, and IL-17, demonstrating the broad suppressive effects on T helper cells; significantly suppressed IFN- and IL-10 production, while the production of IL-17 was not altered. Collectively, these data demonstrated that leaf extracts of Taiwanese species contain phytochemicals with potentials to be developed as selective immunomodulators.