EVALUATION OF IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF SIDA SPINOSA LINN.

Abstract

Immunomodulatory effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Sida spinosa Linn was evaluated in swiss albino mice to justify the traditional claims. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity of specific immunity was carried out in immune suppressed mice by testing the humoral response to sheep RBCs in hemagglutination antibody (HA) titer and determination of total leukocyte count whereas effect on nonspecific immunity was studied by phagocytic activity of carbon particle in carbon clearance test. Immunosuppression was induced in mice by using cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) while Levamisole (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was used as reference standard immune stimulating agent. The extract was administered orally at three dose levels i.e. 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day for the period of 21 days. The extract showed a significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) increase in both primary and secondary HA titer at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively when compared to cyclophosphamide induction control. Extract restored the cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression in mice and showed significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) increase in total leukocyte count at dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively when compared to cyclophosphamide induction control. The extract also showed significant (p < 0.01) increase in phagocytic index at 200 and 400 mg/kg. In conclusion, present study validated traditional claims of the hydroalcoholic extract of Sida spinosa L. as an immunomodulatory agent.