title: Modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses by Azadirachta indica (Neem) in mice.
abstract: The effects of A. indica (AI, Neem) were evaluated on tests of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses after 3 weeks of oral AI (leaf extract) treatment in ovalbumin immunized mice. At the dose levels tested, AI (10, 30 or 100 mg/kg), had no appreciable influence on different organ (liver, spleen, thymus)/body weight indices, when compared to controls. In tests for humoral immune responses, AI (100 mg/kg) treated mice had higher (1) IgM and IgG levels, and (b) anti-ovalbumin antibody titres, when compared to the vehicle treated group. In tests for cell-mediated immune responses, there was an enhancement (%) of (a) macrophage migration inhibition, and (b) footpad thickness after AI (100 mg/kg) treatment. These results are discussed in light of the possible immunopotentiating effects of AI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi), Shahdara, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts