title: Immunomodulatory activity of Acacia catechu.
abstract: The immunomodulatory effect of aqueous extract of Acacia catechu commonly known as Katha or Karangali was studied at two doses of 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg orally. The effect was studied in neutrophil adhesion test, mice lethality test, carbon clearance assay, cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia, serum immunoglobulin levels and the heamagglutination test. Acacia catechu extract showed an increase in the neutrophil adhesion to the nylon fibres, produced a significant increase in the phagocytic index and a significant protection against cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia indicating its effect on cell mediated immunity. On the other hand, Acacia catechu extract produced a significant increase in the serum immunoglobulin levels, increase in the haemagglutination titre values and decreased the mortality ratio in mice, suggesting its effect on the humoral arm of the immune system. From the above results, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of Acacia catechu has a significant effect on both cell mediated and humoral immunity.
authors.affiliation: Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, #5, Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, Bangalore 560 034.
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asad
mesh_terms: D000045:Acacia; D000818:Animals; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts