In vitro and in vivo immunostimulatory activity of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers on non-specific immunity.
BACKGROUND
Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz. (Lythraceae), a non-rasayana immunomodulatory Indian medicinal plant, used traditionally as an anthelmintic, in dysentery, leprosy, blood diseases, leucorrhea, and menorrhagia.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ethanol extract of W. fruticosa flowers on non-specific immune responses in mice.


METHODS
In vitro immunomodulatory activity of the extract was examined on murine peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis (nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye reduction, lysosomal enzyme activity, nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase) and on proliferation of bone marrow cells by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while the in vivo potential on macrophages and bone marrow cells was evaluated by using carbon clearance test and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression, respectively.


RESULTS
Significant increase in the release of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide lysosomal enzyme and superoxide from macrophages along with significant increase in phagocytic index in carbon clearance test indicate stimulatory activity of the extract on macrophages. The extract also demonstrated 60% increase in bone marrow cell proliferation and offer protection towards cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression which represents the stimulation of bone marrow activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant increase in mediators released from macrophages and phagocytic index in carbon clearance test suggests the release of cytokines from macrophages and stimulation of reticulo-endothelial system. Proliferation of bone marrow cells indicates the plausible release of colony stimulating factors, which further stimulates the immune system through generation of immune cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The result described here indicates the immunostimulatory activity of ethanol extract of W. fruticosa flowers by stimulating non-specific immune responses, macrophages and bone marrow cells.
Shah
Abhishek S
AS
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parikh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai, India.
Juvekar
Archana R
AR
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D019653:Myeloablative Agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D031565:Woodfordia / Q000737:chemistry*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005609:Free Radicals; D019653:Myeloablative Agonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009195:Peroxidase