Submited on: 31 May 2016 10:34:11 AM GMT
Published on: 02 Jun 2016 02:00:40 PM GMT
 

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The authors claim they tested the immuno-modulatory effects of mannan from Aloe Vera and Curcumin from turmeric rhizome using human polymorphonuclear cells. Based on their results the authors then conclude that DMSO in their experiments did not kill any cells as their control, Aloe Vera treated cells had an increase in death (which could have been due of chloroform-methanol treatment in the solvent that was just further studied) and thus had inhibitory effects, and that Turmeric extract had increase in number of cells and thus had proliferative effects.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    The claims in this paper are not novel. These findings have been reported as early as the 90's, in fact in many of the papers the authors cite. The only source of originality in the paper is the use of polymorphonuclear cells, which since the cells were not characterized thoroughly and thus no additional information can be extracted than simply one study, that argument is weak as well.

     


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    The claims are properly placed in context of pervious literature. However, the claims are by "far and away" not novel nor thoroughly supported.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    The results support the claims at the most superficial level. only one table was provided in the realm of results. Arguments, comments and conclusion are made on the morphology of the cells but no histological images are provided as evidence. The protein content of the cells is analyzed by one assay and one assay only. At least one additional assay needs to be conducted to validate the findings of the Bradford assay.


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    The only deviation from standard protocol that was made was the use of chloroform and methanol as solvents for the Aloe Vera extract. It is well known by anyone that has worked with cells that chloroform and methanol are toxic. Using toxic reagents on cells and then producing conclusions on the inhibitory effects of a test compound is irresponsible.


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    The methodology is valid in the respect it can be replicated again. However, the methodology is not completely valid for the conclusions that were drawn as not enough tests were conducted and the results were not validated using multiple assays. In addition, no statistical tests were conducted on the results to provide any statistical significance to the results and provide and basis for the conclusions being drawn.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

     Western blots done on the cell proteins being isolated would provide another assay and method to determine protein levels and thus validating the results. Statistical significance tests would provide additional power to the results. isolating the different polymorphonuclear types of cells and individually doing experiments one each would provide additional data and could be a gateway to determining the mechanistic effects of these extracts on these cells.


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    This paper is not outstanding in its discipline.


  • Other Comments:

    N/A

  • Competing interests:
    .
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am suitable experience in science to differentiate between good science and bad science.

  • How to cite:  Kaur R .Immuno-modulatory effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Aloe Vera on cultured Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and adherent mononuclear cells[Review of the article 'Immuno-modulatory effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Aloe Vera on cultured Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and adherent mononuclear cells ' by Shree R].WebmedCentral 2016;8(11):WMCRW003395
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  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The paper claims that aloe vera and turmeric have appreciable effects on the immuno-modulatory response of the human immune system. These claims are sufficiently important for investigation, as they could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic treatments for those who suffer from diseases of the immune system. In addition to being an additional treatment option for a patient, this type of treatment is an improvement over some of the existing medications for these disease states. Alternative medicine is clinically efficient and has minimal side effects when compared to mainstream medications. Plant-based medications are safer, gentler, and better for human health than synthetic drugs. They also typically cost far less money than commercially-developed medications, due to the added cost of research, testing, and marketing.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    To my knowledge, these claims are novel. The paper states that the exact effect of aloe vera and curcuma longa on cultured human adherent and non-adherent cells is still controversial. Very few studies have been done in this regard.  One of the articles I could locate only detailed the effects of aloe vera on intestinal microflora, growth performance, immune response, and coccidiosis found in broiler chickens. The other discussed the in vitro anti-inflammatory properties of a group of botanicals as part of a nutraceutical diet, aloe vera and turmeric included. 


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    The claims are appropriately placed in the context of the previous literature cited. The introduction includes mention of the proven immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, and tonic properties of plant species. They also discuss the mechanisms of action that have been investigated previously in regard to both aloe vera and curcuma longa. 


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    The results support the primary claim that turmeric and aloe vera influence the immunomodulatory response. Turmeric has a proliferative response toward human PBMC cells, whereas aloe vera inhibits the proliferative response of such cells. Aloe vera led to the killing of adherent cells, inhibiting cell proliferation. Turmeric extract increased both the rate of proliferation and the protein content in non-adherent cells. It had less of a proliferative effect on the adherent cells in comparison. 


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    No protocol is listed. The study investigated the effects of these herbs in vitro. 


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    The methodology appears to be valid. The solvents the herbs were delivered in were also tested independently on the cells to eliminate effects from the solvents being attributed to effects of the herbs. The paper offers sufficient details to be able to reproduce its studies. Details on how long the turmeric and aloe vera extracts were stored may need elaboration. If multiple trials were conducted for the sake of veracity of the results, that should be included in the paper. 


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    The cellular mechanisms by which aloe vera and turmeric affect the rate of cell proliferation is yet to be elucidated. The conclusions recognize this, but mentions that these extracts would be useful in designing strategies to increase or decrease the proliferative of immune cells. Before these extracts should be used in that fashion, more about how they accomplish these immune-modulatory effects should be investigated. The work may be difficult to perform conclusively, but this information may prove helpful for patients stuck between a choice of a synthetic drug with a proven mechanism of action, versus an alternative therapy that does not have a reasonable cellular mechanism by which it impacts the body. 


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    It does not yet seem outstanding in its discipline. While the information provided establishes a clear impact of herbs on immune cell proliferation, it does not add information to how these effects occur. I feel a brief mention of the relationship between cell proliferation and aloe vera versus turmeric may be insightful during my next lecture, but it does not need to be a focal point for the class. It also only details the impact of two herbs. A whole host of these medicinal plants have supposed anti-inflammatory effects, so this paper is not particularly representative of all of those. 


  • Other Comments:

    Overall a good read, the article sheds light on the importance of investigating alternative therapies and their supposed benefits. It establishes a clear relationship between aloe vera and turmeric on immune cell response. This could be the beginning of further investigation into herbal remedies for immune system disorders. 

  • Competing interests:
    .
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:

    .

  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    .

  • How to cite:  Botts H .Review of Immuno-modulatory effect of Turmeric and Aloe Vera on cultured Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and adherent mononuclear cells[Review of the article 'Immuno-modulatory effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Aloe Vera on cultured Polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and adherent mononuclear cells ' by Shree R].WebmedCentral 2016;7(11):WMCRW003340
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