Herbal melanin modulates tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production

Recent studies have indicated that cytokines can enhance immunogenicity and promote tumor regression. However, the means for modulating cytokine production are not yet fully investigated. In this study we report the effects of a herbal melanin, extracted from Nigella sativa L., on the production of three cytokines [tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], by human monocytes, total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and THP-1 cell line. Cells were treated with variable concentrations of melanin and the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF mRNA in cell lysates and secretion of proteins in the supernatants were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. Melanin induced TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF mRNA expression by the monocytes, PBMC and THP-1 cell line. On the protein level, melanin significantly induced TNF-α and IL-6 protein production and inhibited VEGF production by monocytes and PBMC. In the THP-1 cell line melanin induced production of all three cytokine proteins. These observations raise the prospects of using N. sativa L. melanin for treatment of diseases associated with imbalanced cytokine production and for enhancing cancer and other immunotherapies.