Supporting the immune system through functional modulation of carbon tetrachloride intoxicated splenic macrophages by administering Tinospora cordifolia.

The suppression of immune system leads to the development of several chronic illnesses; in replying to this the available allopathic system of medicine is provided with limited tools for treatment and prevention. In this context, the present investigation focuses on immunostimulant properties of an aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia in splenic macrophages isolated from carbon tetrachloride induced immunosuppressive mice. Our results suggested that carbon tetra chloride intoxication (0.5ml/Kg body weight) significantly altered the functional status like morphology, cell adhesion, phagocytosis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) release, nitric oxide (NO) release, DNA fragmentation and killing capacity of splenic macrophages. However administration of aqueous fraction of Tinospora cordifolia stem parts at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight (in vivo) in CCl4 intoxicated male albino mice ameliorated the effect of CCl4, as was evident from the scanning electron micrographs, percentage of morphologically altered macrophages, phagocytosis activity, cell adhesion, MPO release, NO release, DNA fragmentation and intracellular killing capacity. Thus, it has been coclude that bioactive compounds presents in polar fractions of Tinospora cordifolia were accountable for boosting the immune system.

Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa in carbon tetra chloride intoxicated Swiss albino mice

Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective and immunotherapeutic effects of aqueous extract of turmeric rhizome in CCl4 intoxicated Swiss albino mice. Methods: First group of mice (n=5) received CCl4 treatment at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg bw (i.p.) for 7 days. Second group was fed orally the aqueous extract of turmeric at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw for 15 days. The third group was given both the turmeric extract (for 15 days, orally) and CCl4 (for last 7 days, i.p.). The fourth group was kept as a control. To study the liver function, the transaminase enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and bilirubin level were measured in the serum of respective groups. For assaying the immunotherapeutic action of Curcuma longa (C. longa), non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration, phagocytosis, nitric oxide release, myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages were studied from the respective groups. Results: The result of present study suggested that CCl4 administration increased the level of SGOT and SGPT and bilirubin level in serum. However, the aqueous extract of turmeric reduced the level of SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin in CCl4 intoxicated mice. Apart from damaging the liver system, CCl4 also reduced non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration, phagocytosis, nitric oxide release, myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages. Administration of aqueous extract of C. longa offered significant protection from these damaging actions of CCl4 on the non specific host response in the peritoneal macrophages of CCl4 intoxicated mice. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study suggests that C. longa has immunotherapeutic properties along with its ability to ameliorate hepatotoxicity.