Immunomodulatory activity of different polyphenolic compounds isolated from Origanum majorana

Abstract

Growing in many Mediterranean nations since antiquity, Origanum majorana L. is an aromatic herb that gained popularity as a spice and medicinal plant during the Middle Ages. Although O. majorana possesses a wide range of pharmacological effects, its immunoreactive components and mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, six compounds were isolated and identified from O. majorana. The isolated compounds were identified on the basis of acid hydrolysis, comparative PC, UV, ESI-MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparing with authentics and previous reported data. The compounds were identified as Cinnamic acid, Gallic acid, Caffeic acid, PCoumaric acid, Apigenin and Luteolin. Proliferation of immune cells was investigated and the effect of the isolated compounds on the growth of Raw macrophage 264.7 was estimated using MTT assay. The immunomodulatory effects of the six compounds were screened showing high immunomodulatory activity on RAW 264.7 cells.