Dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) down-regulates the progression of experimental immune-mediated diabetes by modulation of cytokine profile in the draining lymph nodes

Abstract

We have recently demonstrated the beneficial effects of dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) in two preclinical models of type 1 diabetes. Here we analyze the potential mechanisms underlying diabetes amelioration at the level of lymph node drainage. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with DOLE during induction of diabetes with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-SZ) modulated cytokine expression and production in pancreatic lymph node cells, thereby changing the balance between potentially pathogenic and down-regulating cytokines. These results support the immunoregulatory potential of DOLE which takes place at the level of lymph node drainage and preserves the target tissue from autoimmune attack.