title: Immunostimulant effects of Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaves.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to explore the immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica Linn. (family: Capparidaceae) leaves on neutrophil adhesion test, humoral response to sheep red blood cells, delayed-type hypersensitivity, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Pre-treatment of water extract (300 mg/kg, oral) of Capparis zeylanica evoked a significant increase in neutrophil adhesion to nylon fibres. The augmentation of humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells by ethanolic and water extracts (150-300 mg/kg) is evidenced by increase in antibody titres in mice. A dose-related increase in both primary and secondary antibody titre was observed. Oral administration of ethanolic and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica leaves, at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg in mice, dose dependently potentiated the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells. Immunomodulatory activity was also assessed by serological and haematological tests. Capparis zeylanica extracts prevented myelosuppression in mice treated with cyclophosphamide drug. The study comprised the acute toxicity and preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol and water extracts.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Borgaon, Meghe, Wardha 442001, India baluudps@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Ghule
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murugananthan
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Nakhat
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Yeole
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D031484:Capparis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000633:toxicity; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006384:Hemagglutination / Q000187:drug effects; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012756:Sheep; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol; D003520:Cyclophosphamide