The Effect of Salvia plebeia on Murine Macrophage-mediated Cytotoxicity

Macrophages play an important role in host defense against tumors by killing tumor cells. Our work is directed toward studying the effect of the extracts of Salvia plebeia on induction of antitumor activity in macrophages, since it has been usezd as a folk-medicine for the treatment of hepatitis and tumors. The ability of macrophage treated with the plant extracts to inhibit the growth of tumor cells was assessed. The Extracts of the plant induced antitumor activity and could enhance the tumoricidal activity of macrophages when used in combination with $IFN-{\gamma}$. These results suggest that Salvia plebeia extract contain immunomodulatory factors responsible for the induction of the antitumor activity.