FRENCH MARIGOLD (TAGETES PATULA L.) FLOWER EXTRACT PROTECTS KIDNEY CELLS FROM INFLAMMATION IN VITRO.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory property of Tagetes patula L. (French Marigold) flower extracts and its protective effect on renal epithelium against uropathogenic E. coli infection. Thus, in this study, a number of in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Tagetes patula L flower extract (water soluble part of French Marigold flower, extracted with chloroform). MTT assay was performed to determine the effect of French Marigold flower extract on cell viability in MDCK cells activated with 100ng/mL of LPS. We investigated the effect of Tagetes patula L. extract on LPS-stimulated levels of NO and TNF-α production by Griess reaction based colorimetric assay and ELISA respectively. Also, we analyzed content of the French Marigold flower extract by HPLC. Our results demonstrated that TPE protected MDCK cells and increased their viability. Also, TPE had a strong inhibitory effect on NO secretion. These effects were due to inhibition of TNF-α induced pro-apoptotic pathway. The Tagetes patula L extract represents a rich source of lutein and its antioxidant property can be caused by lutein. Our results suggest that TPE could be developed as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent derived from natural products.