In vitro NADH-oxidase, NADPH-oxidase and myeloperoxidase activity of macrophages after Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi) treatment

It is believed that the enhanced microbicidal and tumoricidal capability of activated macrophages is related to the remarkable increase in the production of oxygen metabolites. Both the production of H2O2 and the oxidation of NAD(P)H are directly dependent upon NAD(P) H-oxidase. It has been established that the respiratory burst is due to activation of NAD(P) H-oxidase localised in the plasmalemma. Myeloperoxidase is believed to be involved in augmenting the cytotoxic activity of H2O2. It was observed that the macrophage cell line J774A. 1 when treated with Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi) and LPS showed enhanced NADH-oxidase, NADPH-oxidase and myeloperoxidase production as compared to macrophages treated with medium alone. The direct drug treatment to J774A cells showed activation as assessed by biochemical assays. These results suggest that high NADH-oxidase, NADPH-oxidase and myeloperoxidase activities may account for tumoricidal and microbicidal properties via macrophage activation.