title: Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha.
abstract: The immunomodulatory activity of an Indian Ayurvedic medicinal preparation, Ashwagandna (Withania somnifera (L. Dunal)) was studied in mice with myelosuppression induced by one or more of the following three compounds: cyclophosphamide, azathioprin, or prednisolone. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was carried out by hematological and serological tests. A significant modulation of immune reactivity was observed in all the three animal models used. Ashwagandha prevented myelosuppression in mice treated with all three immunosuppressive drugs tested. A significant increase in hemoglobin concentration (P < 0.01), red blood cell count (P < 0.01), white blood cell count (P < 0.05), platelet count (P < 0.01), and body weight (P < 0.05) was observed in Ashwagandha-treated mice as compared with untreated (control) mice. We also report an immunostimulatory activity: treatment with Ashwagandha was accompanied by significant increases in hemolytic antibody responses towards human erythrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Medinova Diagnostics Center, Indian Drugs Research Association, Pune, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziauddin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Phansalkar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diwanay
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patwardhan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D007114:Immunization; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D010936:Plant Extracts