ABSTRACT
Dashmularishta is an Ayurvedic formulation used widely as a health tonic. Since the mode of action of Dashmularishta has not been explored much in detail so far, we investigated its potential effects on antioxidant, antifatigue and immunostimulatory properties using in vitro as well as in vivo assays. The antioxidant potential was assessed by free radical scavenging (ABTS based) assay. Antifatigue potential was elucidated by DNA super coiling assay and swim endurance test model. Immunostimulatory effect on Natural Killer (NK) cells activity was evaluated using mouse splenocytes and YAC-1 based assay. Dashmularishta exhibited in vitro antioxidant and antifatigue potential and in vivo anti-fatigue properties in Swiss albino mice. Further, it also enhanced the in vitro NK cells activity at noncytotoxic concentrations.
ABSTRACT
Chyawanprash is an ayurvedic formulation used in Indian traditional medicinal system for its beneficial effect on human health. We investigated the immunostimulatory effects of Chyawanprash (CHY) using in vitro assays evaluating the secretion of cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1-alpha (MIP-1-α) from murine bone marrow derived Dendritic Cells (DC) which play pivotal role in immunostimulation. The effects of CHY on phagocytosis in murine macrophages (RAW264.7) and Natural Killer (NK) cell activity were also investigated. At non-cytotoxic concentrations (20–500 µg/ml), CHY enhanced the secretion of all the three cytokines from DC. CHY also stimulated both, macrophage (RAW264.7) as well as NK cell activity, in vitro. In conclusion, the data substantiates the immunoprotective role of CHY at cellular level mediated by immunostimulation in key immune cells viz. dendritic Cells, macrophages and NK cells.