Abstract

EFFECTS OF EUPATORIUM ADENOPHORUM LEAF EXTRACT ON CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSE IN MICE

Y. Damodar Singh*

ABSTRACT

Twenty five apparently healthy male albino mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 animals each. Group-I and II served as vehicle (5% tween 80) and positive control (cyclophosphamide @ 25 mg/kg orally, daily till the termination of the experiment) respectively. The remaining groups (III-V) received methanolic extract of E. adenophorum @ 1/20th, 1/10th and 1/5th of ALD50 orally daily for 14 days before sensitization with the contactant, dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and continued till the termination of the experiment. Daily oral administration of MEA @ 700 mg/kg for 19 days resulted in marked reduction in the ear thickness in DNCB-induced delayed type hypersensitivity test (DTH) in mice, while MEA doses of 175 and 350 mg/kg produced a marginal increase and reduction in the ear thickness; respectively. The dose levels of MEA @ 350 and 700 mg/kg significantly lowered the total leukocyte and absolute lymphocyte counts. However, MEA @ 175 mg/kg caused a marginal increase in total leukocyte count, while marginal decrease in absolute lymphocyte counts. Daily oral administration of MEA @ 350 and 700 mg/kg for 19 days resulted in significant reduction in per cent lymphocyte, while increase in both per cent neutrophils and monocytes in mice. The present study suggests that the highest dose of MEA (700 mg/kg) might be having some immunosuppressant effects on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) of mice.

Keywords: Eupatorium adenophorum; cell-mediated immune response; mice.