ABSTRACT
The flavonoid fraction of Tephrosia purpurea (FFTP) was studied for its effect on cellular and humoral functions and on macrophage phagocytosis in mice. Oral administration of FFTP (10-40 mg/kg) significantly inhibited sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. It also produced a significant, dose-related decrease in sheep erythrocyte-specific haemagglutination antibody titre. However, the fraction failed to show a significant change in the macrophage phagocytic activity. The results obtained indicate the ability of the flavonoidal fraction of T. purpurea to modulate both the cell-mediated and the humoral components of the immune system.
Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Hypersensitivity, Delayed/immunology , Phagocytosis/drug effects , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Tephrosia , Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage , Administration, Oral , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Erythrocytes/immunology , Female , Flavonoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Macrophages/drug effects , Macrophages/immunology , Male , Mice , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , SheepABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory activity of Argyreia speciosa on cellular and humoral immunity. Oral administration of the ethanolic extract of A. speciosa root (ASEE), at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg in mice, dose-dependently potentiated the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced both by sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and oxazolone. It significantly enhanced the production of circulating antibody titre in mice in response to SRBC. ASEE failed to show any effect on macrophage phagocytosis. Chronic administration of ASEE significantly ameliorated the total white blood cell count and also restored the myelosuppressive effects induced by cyclophosphamide. The present investigation reveals that ASEE possesses immunomodulatory activity.
Subject(s)
Convolvulaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Antibodies/immunology , Blood Cell Count , Cyclophosphamide/pharmacology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Erythrocytes/immunology , Female , Hypersensitivity/immunology , Hypersensitivity, Delayed/immunology , Immunosuppression Therapy , Macrophages/drug effects , Macrophages/immunology , Male , Mice , Oxazolone/immunology , Penicillamine/pharmacology , Phagocytosis/drug effects , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Roots/chemistry , SheepABSTRACT
Saussurea lappa, Argyreia speciosa and Achyranthes aspera are well known Indian medicinal plants used in the indigenous systems of medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. The ethanolic extracts of the plants at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. were screened for their effect on acute and chronic inflammation induced in mice and rats. S. lappa and A. speciosa were found to significantly inhibit paw edema induced by carrageenan and Freund's complete adjuvant and to prevent accumulation of inflammatory cells in carrageenan-induced peritonitis at doses of 50-200 mg/kg. A. aspera inhibited these inflammatory responses at doses of 100-200 mg/kg. The studies reveal that the ethanolic extracts of S. lappa, A. speciosa and A. aspera possess anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity and support the rationale behind the traditional use of these plants in inflammatory conditions.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Saussurea/chemistry , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Carrageenan/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/drug therapy , Humans , Peritonitis/chemically induced , Peritonitis/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Rats , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
The ethanolic extract of T. purpurea Linn. was studied for its in vitro effect on rat mast cell degranulation and erythrocyte membrane integrity in vitro. The extract in concentration of 25-200 microg/ml showed a dose-dependant inhibition of rat mast cell degranulation induded by compound 48/80 and egg albumin. T. purpurea extract was found to inhibit haemolysis of erythrocytes induced by hypotonic solution but accelerated haemolysis induced by heat at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. The studies reveal that the ethanolic extract of T. purpurea may inhibit degranulation of mast cells by a mechanism other than membrane stabilization.
