A fern-based plant extract reduces the TNF-α-induced release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, MIP-3α, and IP-10 in immortalized human gastric MKN-45 cells

Chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa induced by the increased release of the Helicobacter pylori -associated pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (MIP-3α/CCL20) and interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) play a crucial role in the development of gastric diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]. A targeted reduction in the release of cytokines by plant-derived constituents, which has already been demonstrated in earlier studies with regard to pro-inflammatory interleukins [ 4 ] [ 5 ], could therefore be a promising approach for preventing tissue-damaging processes. In this study, the effect of the commercially available fern-based extract Digestodoron ®​ on TNF-α-induced release of IL-8, MIP-3α and IP-10 in immortalized human gastric MKN-45 cells was assessed. Pretreatment of the cells with Digestodoron ®​ , its four individual extracts ( Athyrium filix-mas , Phyllitis scolopendrium , Polypodium vulgare and a mixture of Salix alba , Salix viminalis and Salix vitellina ) or a commercial reference product, followed by a cytokine-inducing TNF-α incubation, led to a reduced release of IL-8, MIP-3α and IP-10, which were quantified by ELISA. Dose response experiments showed that substantially lower concentrations of Digestodoron ®​ (IC 50 [IL-8]=18 μg/mL, IC 50 [MIP-3α]=11 μg/mL, and IC 50 [IP-10]=7 μg/mL) were necessary to reduce cytokine release compared to the reference product investigated (IC 50 [IL-8]=412 μg/mL, IC 50 [MIP-3α]=160 μg/mL, and IC 50 [IP-10]=45 μg/mL). The results indicate an anti-inflammatory potential of the fern-based plant extract in gastric diseases, which has to be validated in vivo . Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany