SpiceUp the Immune System:

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Spice-Up the Immune System Investigating the
Effects of Spices and Food Additives on
Immunomodulation and Cancer
AMIN F. MAJDALAWIEH, Ph.D. Assistant
Professor Department of Biology
Chemistry American University of Sharjah Sharjah,
UAE 1st AUS Faculty Research Forum April 06,
2009
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Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Research Projects
Project 1 Elucidation of the Molecular Role of
Adipocyte Enhancer-Binding Protein-1
(AEBP1) in Mammary Gland Development and
Tumorgenesis   Project 2 Characterization of
the Role of Adipocyte Enhancer-Binding Protein-1
(AEBP1) in NF-kB Signaling Pathway and
Inflammation Project 3 Investigating the
Molecular and Physiological Role of AEBP1 in
Macrophage Cholesterol Homeostasis,
Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis   Project 4
Identification and Characterization of Novel
Proteins Involved in T Cell Activation.
Lck Regulation A Missing Link.   Project 5
In Vitro Study of the Immunomodulatory
Anti-Cancer Effects of Selected
Spices   Project 6 Investigating the
Potential Negative Effects of Nicotine on the
Immune System
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• Background
• 2. Experimental Findings
• Effect of black pepper and cardamom on
  lymphocyte proliferation
• Effect of black pepper and cardamom on cytokine
  secretion profile
• Effect of black pepper and cardamom on
  macrophage function
• Effect of black pepper and cardamom on the
  cytotoxic function of NK cells
• 3. Conclusions Remarks

Presentation Outline
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Background
? The medicinal use of natural herbs is deeply
rooted in the history and folklore of humans. ?
The use of herbs and natural products in Western
cultures is continuously increasing. ? 100
million Americans use medicinal herbs as healing
substances annually. ? Natural/herbal products
used in traditional medicine have been the source
of many medically beneficial drugs. ? The
analysis of empirically-isolated natural
substances and their specially-designed
derivatives became a potential tool for
uncovering novel cellular targets for anticancer
therapy. ? Yet, extremely effective drugs to
treat most cancers are still lacking.
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Background
? The concept of immunomodulation emerged in 1796
(Edward Jenner). ? Immunomodulation is
considered to be an induced alteration of immune
responses caused by synthetic chemicals, natural
substances, and radiation. ? Immunomodulation
involves immunostimulation or immunoinhibition of
certain immune responses. ? Immunonutrition is a
term that has emerged in the last two decades
referring to the potential to modulate the
activity of the immune system by interventions
with specific nutrients. ? Many herbs and
natural products have been shown to display
immunomodulatory functions.
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Health-Promoting Properties of Black Pepper
Cardamom
? Black pepper, its extracts, and its major
constituents have diverse physiological effects
in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and liver.
? Cardamom was shown to play a wide range of
health-promoting roles against various conditions
such as constipation, colic, diarrhea, dyspepsia,
vomiting, headache, epilepsy and cardiovascular
diseases. ? Black pepper and cardamom extracts
have also been shown to exert antimicrobial
activities. ? Enzymatic modulation and
pro-apoptotic activities have been proposed as
mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer properties
of black pepper and cardamom.
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Enhance
Splenocyte Proliferation in a Dose-Dependent
Manner (72 hrs)
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Polymyxin B Does NOT Influence the Potential of
Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts to Enhance
Splenocyte Proliferation
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Modulate the
Secretion of Splenocyte -Derived IFNg
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Modulate the
Secretion of Splenocyte -Derived IL-4
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Modulate the
Secretion of Splenocyte -Derived IL-10
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Elicitation Isolation of Peritoneal Macrophages
6-8 wk old mice
Griess Assay (NaNO2 measurement)
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Modulate the
Secretion of Macrophage -Derived IL-6
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Modulate the
Secretion of Macrophage -Derived TNFa
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Activate
Macrophages
Griess Assay
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Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts Activate
Macrophages Synergistically
Griess Assay
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JAM Assay
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Synergistic Enhancement of NK Cell-Mediated
Cytotoxicity by Black Pepper Cardamom Extracts
JAM Assay
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Conclusions Remarks
1. Black pepper and cardamom possess chemicals
that can potentially serve as potent
immunomodulatory agents. 2. Black pepper plays
pro-proliferative, pro-inflammatory functions ,
whereas cardamom manifests itself as a potent
suppressor of inflammation. 3. The constituents
of black pepper and cardamom seem to promote the
release of Th1 and Th2 cytokines,
respectively. 4. Black pepper and cardamom
exhibit anti-carcinogenic effects via promoting
the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. 5. The
constituents of black pepper and cardamom may
serve as potential molecular tools for developing
novel therapeutic strategies to modulate
inflammatory responses and prevent/treat various
types of cancers.
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Acknowledgements
Others Dr. Timothy Lee Dr. David Hoskin Dr.
Fredrick Palmer Dr. Jaroslav Kralovec Bruce
Musgrave Jared Butler
X-Supervisor Dr. Ronald Carr Lab Members
Hana James Jillian Tarrant Sheila Crain Darren
Costain Michele Murray Madeline Morris Murray
Ripley Wendy Hughes
Department of Microbiology
Immunology (DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY)
Department of Biochemistry Molecular
Biology (DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY)
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