title: Augmented humoral immune response and decreased cell-mediated immunity by Aloe vera in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was performed to explore the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera on parameters of humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Delayed-type hypersensitivity was assessed by measuring foot pad thickness following sensitisation by keyhole limpet haemocyanin injection and subsequently challenged by the same. Humoral immunity was assessed by measurement of haemagglutination titre to sheep red blood cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aloe vera (400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant decrease in foot pad thickness compared with the control group, and also significantly enhanced the secondary humoral immune response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, these findings suggest that A. vera can modulate immune response by augmenting secondary humoral immunity and decreasing cell-mediated immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi), Delhi, India. sumitahalder123@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Sumita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halder
authors.forename: Ashish K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Pramod K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mediratta
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts