Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41125630›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

In silico and in vivo assessment of the immunostimulatory activity of palmitic acid derived from Vernonia amygdalina.

Funmilayo I D Afolayan, Samson D Adesoye, Ridwan Abiodun Salaam, Damilare Adebayo Olaniyi, Rofiat Adeola Odeyemi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Funmilayo I D AfolayanCell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200132, Oyo State, Nigeria. fidifede@gmail.com.
Samson D AdesoyeCell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200132, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Ridwan Abiodun SalaamCell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200132, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Damilare Adebayo OlaniyiCell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200132, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Rofiat Adeola OdeyemiCell Biology and Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200132, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina is rich in palmitic acid (PA), a bioactive known for its anti-inflammatory capabilities. Yet, there is a paucity of scientific information on the immunostimulatory effect of the compound on the immune response. Therefore, this study assessed the potential of PA to modulate the immune cell function with potential implications in immune-mediated diseases. Bioinformatic techniques, including retrieval of regulatory cytokine structure and PA, molecular docking, and visualisations, were conducted using Protein Databank, PubChem database, Chimera, PyRx, and Biovia Discovery studio software. To assess the cell-mediated immune response in vivo, sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) were administered intraperitoneally to Mus musculus (mice). This was followed by PA treatments at various concentrations. Paw thickness and phagocytic activity and index were measured at intervals. Furthermore, the primary and secondary antibody titres were measured to assess the humoral immune response as a follow-up to the SBRC and PA treatments at varying concentrations. PA bound favourably with the cytokines, including TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-10, showing a binding affinity score range of - 6.1 kcal/mol to - 3.5 kcal/mol. In the mouse model, PA-treated groups of 2 and 5 mg/kg showed a significant increase in paw thickness, whereas no significant change was observed at 10 mg/kg. Furthermore, PA induced a significant increase in macrophage phagocytic index and activity in a dose-dependent manner. The PA-treated group of 10 mg/kg showed the highest primary humoral response, while no significant changes were observed in secondary responses. Overall, the potential of palmitic acid to immunomodulate the innate and cell-mediated immunity in a dose-dependent manner with limited effect on antibody-mediated immune response holds promising benefit to treat inflammatory diseases and enhance vaccine efficacy.

Indexed as

Adjuvants, ImmunologicPalmitic AcidVernoniaAnimalsComputer SimulationCytokinesErythrocytesImmunity, CellularImmunity, HumoralMiceMolecular Docking SimulationPhagocytosisSheepAdjuvants, ImmunologicCytokinesPalmitic AcidDelayed-type hypersensitivityImmune responseImmunostimulationInflammationMolecular dockingPalmitic acid

Identifiers

PMID41125630
PMCPMC12546591

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.