Analysis of the effect of various commercial nutraceutical preparations on the immune system

The purpose of the present study was to compare the activity of several nutraceutical preparations on some immune functions and cell proliferation. In the present study, some preparations were shown to affect monokine production. Amongst the most notable activity, 3 products from Garden of Life (RM-10, RevivAll, FYI) and one from another manufacturer (IP-6; Source Naturals) potentiated markedly the production of IL-1. RM-10 was also the most active in inducing IL-1 release in the absence of stimulation with LPS. In addition, most products inhibited the LPS-induced release of IL-6, and some increased its production, although not consistently. RM-10 inhibited the release of the LPS-induced production of IL-6, an inflammation-associated cytokine. Most Garden of Life products, and two mushroom-containing products from other sources, were associated with an increased production of IL-6 when mononuclear cells were incubated in the absence of LPS. These results confirm the immuno-modulating potential of these products. With respect to TNF- α production, only FYI induced a marked increase of the release of this cytokine after priming with LPS. ProBio Greens, PZ Cat's Claw, RevivAll, and a few other products were also associated with a significant release. In the absence of LPS stimulation, the most active compounds were RM-10, ProBio Greens, PZ Cat's Claw, and Clear Energy. The effect of these nutraceutical preparations was also investigated on NK-cell activity. Most products inhibited NK cell activity at a concentration higher or equal to 150 μg/ml. At lower concentrations, some products increased NK cell activity, e.g. ProBio Greens, RM-10, Clear Energy, RevivAll, FYI, Omega-Zyme, as well as nine other products, most of them containing mushroom extracts. The effect of nutraceutical preparations on cell proliferation was also investigated: RM-10, PZ Cat's Claw, Clear Energy, Primal Defense powder, and four other products markedly inhibited the proliferation of MDA cells (a breast cancer cell line). Conversely, a number of other tested products -including a number of mushroom extracts- increased cell proliferation. PZ Cat's Claw, Clear Energy, and Ambrotose (Mannatech) markedly inhibited HEP-G2 cell proliferation. Another eight products - amongst them 4 from Garden of Life-also demonstrated an inhibitory activity. Conversely, a number of other products - including, again, mushroom extracts - favored cell proliferation. Only HSO's, PZ Cat's Claw and Omega-Zyme markedly inhibited Caco-2 colonic cell line proliferation, but only at the 200 μg/ml (highest) concentration. Conversely, many products stimulated cell proliferation. It is noteworthy that Caco-2 cells are also widely used to analyze the effects of drugs on non-cancerous colon conditions, e.g. irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore the stimulatory effect noted with products like RevivAll or Primal Defense powder might be associated with clinical benefits in non-malignant conditions. RM-10, and to a lesser degree Clear Energy, Primal Defense Powder, and Ambrotose (Mannatech), markedly inhibited the proliferation of Calu-6 lung cancer cell line. Four other products demonstrate a lesser activity at the 200 μg/ml concentration. Some products stimulated proliferation. The bulk of these results demonstrate that certain nutraceutical preparations -but not all of them- bear potent immuno-modulatory activities and/or affect cell proliferation. Such activities may have interesting clinical implications.