Ksheer Vidari or Ipomoea mauritiana Increases M2 Macrophage Population

Introduction:Ipomoea mauritiana (IM) or morning glory plant is known as Ksheer vidari in Ayurveda. It grows as a vine and its tubers are used for food as well as medicine. Ksheer vidari is described as a substitute for Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa). It is used for its vata-pitta-shamak (balancing aggravated vata and pitta) properties. It is widely used in Daurbalya (muscle wastage), Kshyaroga (tuberculosis [TB]), and Stanyakshaya (insufficient lactation) among other indications. Although all these conditions have different tissues affected, macrophages are a common player. We probed the effect of IM on macrophages in light of its major indications. Methods:We used in vitro system to assess the activity of Ksheer vidari on macrophages. Levels of expression of key surface markers and the soluble inflammatory mediators secreted by macrophages were assessed using molecular biology tools. Results:We report that macrophages treated with Ksheer vidari increase the production of interleukin (IL) 10, IL13, and CCL17 while reducing IL-1β. Furthermore, treated cells have higher levels of CD206 and lower levels of CD36 on their cell membrane. Conclusion:The modulation of inflammatory and surface markers clearly indicates that Ksheer vidari treatment increases the proportion of M2 macrophages compared to M1. This is, the most likely, reason why the herb finds its uses in muscle gain and in the treatment of TB.