Achyrocline satureioides (LAM.) DC (Marcela): antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus spp. and immunomodulating effects on human lymphocytes.

Abstract

Achyrocline satureioides (LAM.) DC (Compositae) is a sub-bush original from America and distributed in Europe and Africa. It is mainly used in infusions, as digestive, sedative among others and has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. A research was made into the anti-microbial activity of the A. satureioides decoction on the Staphylococcus spp strains. They were isolated from 18 patients with acne lesions and from 7 patients infected with Staphylococcus spp. (5 strains were taken from catheters and 2 from wounds). The strains were classified through biochemical tests and then were seeded in triptein-soy agar with or without decoction to observe the antibacterial activity. On the other hand, cultures of lymphocytes were made from those patients who displayed infections caused by Staphylococcus spp. and from 12 control non-infected individuals. The lymphocytes were stimulated with decoction or PHA-M. Among the expanded, CD8+ T cells, with anti-human CD8 monoclonal antibody were the outstanding ones by indirect IF. The A. satureiodes decoction inhibited 95% of the isolated Staphylococcus spp. strains and stimulated the lymphocyte expansion, of which 40% were CD8+ T cells. The A. satureiodes decoction showed anti-microbial activity and resulted to be an immunostimulating agent on CD8+ T cells, with lesser mitogenic effects than PHA-M.