Induction of Th1-dependent immunity by an orally effective melon SOD extract

While integrity is essential to confer a pharmacological effect to active enzymes when administered to the oral route, proteins often show a poor bio-availability because they are rapidly eliminated from the alimentary canal before absorption. In order to avoid this problem we evaluated the propensity of a combination of a melon SOD extract (Cucumis melo.L.C) with wheat gliadin (Triticum vulgare) to be orally effective compared to the melon SOD extract alone. We have previously demonstrated that the combination is the only one to promote the circulating antioxidants (mainly SOD, Gpx and Catalase) and a protective effect to free radicals induced-apoptosis [1]. In this study, we have shown that this combination also primed and polarized the mouse Th1/Th2 immune response by affecting: (a) the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines from primed spleen cells after stimulation with Con-A and (b) the isotypes of antibody response (IgG, IgE and IgA).