title: Selective Th1 up-regulating activity of Withania somnifera aqueous extract in an experimental system using flow cytometry.
abstract: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is reported to be immunoprotective and immunoadjuvant. We studied its roots aqueous extract on T helper (Th) immunity using flow cytometry. This extract was standardized with six withanolides as marker compounds using HPLC. Once daily dose ranging from 25 to 400 mg/kg/p.o. was used to study effect on Th1: IFN-gamma, IL-2 and Th2: IL-4 cytokine modulation. We also studied effect on CD4 and CD8 in normal and immunesuppressed mice. The results indicate that extract at 100 mg/kg resulted significant selective up-regulation of Th1 response. Treatment with extract showed significant increase in CD4 and CD8 counts as compared to control and cyclopsorin A, with a faster recovery of CD4+ T cells in immunesuppressed animals. Under immunesuppressed conditions, potentiation of cellular and humoral immune responses of extract was comparable to levamisole. This study indicates the selective Th1 up-regulating effect of extract and suggests its use for selective Th1/Th2 modulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu Tawi, India. sarangbani@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Sarang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bani
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.forename: Fayaz Ahmad
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Beenish
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Narender Kumar
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Satti
authors.forename: Krishan Avatar
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.forename: Ghulam Nabi
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Qazi
authors.forename: Bhushan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patwardhan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water