Abstract

IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF LECTIN EXTRACTED FROM THE RED MARINE ALGA PTEROCLADIELLA CAPILLACEA

Youcef Necib*, Ahlem Bahi, Fateh Merouane, Hala Bouadi and Khaled Boulahrouf

Abstract

A lectin present in the marine red alga Pterocladiella capillacea was extracted by soluble proteins (crude extract) in phosphate buffer (0.1M, pH 7.2). The lectin agglutinated specifically rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutinating activity assay showed that the lectin was not dependent on divalent cations and was shown an agglutination to B blood human group. Extracted lectin of Pterocladiella capillacea showed thermo stability in more than 100°C. However, the lectin was stable in the PH ranged between 2 to12 and was showen to be inhibited by the glycoproteins fetuin, BSA and ovalbumin and by the sugare raffnose. Immunomodulatory activity of extracted lectins from marine red alga Pterocladiella capillacea was evaluated on phagocytic activity by carbon clearance test. Adult Albinos Wistar mice randomly divided into four groups, were the first was served as a control, while the remaining groups respectively treated with extracted lectins from marine red alga Pterocladiella capillacea at dose of: 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection (IP). Change in phagocytic activity was determined after 48 h injection of carbon ink suspension. In carbone clearance test, extracted lectins from marine red alga Pterocladiella capillacea exhibited significantly phagocytic index dose-dependent against control group, indicating stimulation of the reticulo-endothelial system. Present study thus reveals that extracted lectins from marine red alga Pterocladiella capillacea holds promise as immunomodulatory agent, which act by stimulating dose dependent phagocytic function.

Keywords: Immunomodulatory, Carbon Clearance rate, Pterocladiella capillacea