Boerhaavia diffusa Extract Acts as a Specific Antituberculosis Agent in Vitro Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv Infection

Abstract: The present study investigated Boerhaavia diffusa extract against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (M.tb) infection in vitro and explored the underlying mechanism. The study demonstrated that Boerhaavia diffusa extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced RAW 264.7 and A549 cell viability in concentration dependent manner. In BEAS-2B, NuLi-1 cells and splenocytes no significant (p > 0.05) reduction in viability was observed on treatment with 2.5 to 20 mg/L concentrations of Boerhaavia diffusa. The M. tb‑induced increase in TNF‑α expression was significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by Boerhaavia diffusa treatment in RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, Boerhaavia diffusa treatment significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited M.tb‑induced increase in IL-6 and IL‑1β expression in RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells. Boerhaavia diffusa treatment of RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells significantly (p < 0.05) reversed M.tb‑induced increase in iNOS and COX‑2 expression. Additionally, in Boerhaavia diffusa treated cells M.tb‑induced increase in NO release was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared to untreated cells. In summary, Boerhaavia diffusa treatment inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production, NO release and regulate immunomodulatory mediators in M.tb‑infected RAW 264.7 and BEAS-2B cells. Therefore, Boerhaavia diffusa may be developed as a therapeutic agent for treatment of M.tb‑infection.