Experimental immunology
The effect of Uncaria tomentosa bark water extract on chemokinetic activity of spleen lymphocytes in mice

Uncaria tomentosa (Wild.) D.C. also known as “vilcacora”, “una de gato”, or “cat’s claw”, is a liana belonging to the family of Rubiaceae, growing in humid tropical forests of Middle and South America. It is one of the most popular Peruvian medicinal plants, and preparations of its bark, leaves or roots have been the basis of local natural medicine for ages. This plant displays a large range of bioactive secondary metabolites including tetracyclic and pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids, glycosides, catechins, flavonoids, procyanidins and triterpenes. Organic solvent extracts of Uncaria were shown to have contraceptive, cytostatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities.
The aim of this work was to study the in vivo effect of Uncaria bark water extract on the ex vivo chemokinetic activity of splenic lymphocytes in mice. Mice were fed Uncaria extracts in daily doses 200 or 2000 µg for 7 days. The chemokinetic activity of splenocytes was determined in 24-hour cell cultures in capillary tubes. Both doses of extracts stimulated splenocytes mobility but the lower dose of extract was most effective.