title: Immunostimulatory action of AC II--an ayurvedic formulation useful in HIV.
abstract: Immunostimulatory activity of AC II, a registered ayurvedic preparation prepared at Amala Ayurvedic Research Centre for treating HIV and AIDS is reported. AC II administration could significantly enhance the mitogen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes of spleen cells. It was also found to increase cell-mediated immune responses in normal and tumor-bearing control animals. Oral administration of AC II significantly enhanced Natural Killer cell activity in normal and tumor-bearing animals on the 7th day, which was observed earlier than the tumor-bearing control animals and normal animals. Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was also increased in AC II treated normal and tumor-bearing animals. An early enhancement of antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity was also observed by the administration of AC II in normal as well as tumor-bearing animals. Treatment with AC II elevated the levels of IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in normal mice. Administration of AC II was also found to increase the cytotoxic T lymphocyte production in EL4 treated mice. These studies support the use of this immune stimulatory preparation in HIV patients.
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Thrissur 680 555, India.
authors.forename: Sheeja T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Tharakan
authors.forename: Girija
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kuttan
authors.forename: Ramadasan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuttan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kesavan
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajagopalan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma