title: Immunostimulant activities of the aqueous methanolic extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica, a plant from Cholistan desert.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) is a well-renowned medicinal shrub, used by herbal practitioners for various ailments including allergic rhinitis, productive cough, abortion, diabetes, stomach disorders, fever, kidney disorders, stones and cancer
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  On the basis of folkloric uses, L. pyrotechnica was selected from the wide medicinal flora of the Cholistan desert of Pakistan, for the exploration of immunomodulatory potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous methanolic (30:70) extract of aerial parts of L. pyrotechnica (Lp. Cr) was prepared by 3 days thrice maceration and subsequent evaporation under reduced pressure. In-vivo experiments were performed in Wistar albino rats including neutrophil adhesion test, haemagglutinating antibody (HA) titre, delayed-type hypersensitivity response, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lp. Cr produced a significant increase in phagocytic index in dose-dependent fashion (3.56, 4.18 and 5.42 at 30, 100 and 300mg/kg, respectively) as well as an augmented response in the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and HA titre induced by sheep erythrocytes. Lp. Cr also showed improved adhesion of neutrophils with nylon pellets (15.28, 27.85 and 38.42% at the doses of 30, 100 and 300mg/kg) and prevented myelosuppression in cyclophosphamide-treated rats as evidenced from the hematological parameters. The results of treatment were compared with normal and standard control groups throughout the study and the effects by Lp. Cr (300mg/kg) were found to be comparable with Levamisole.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that L. pyrotechnica possesses immunostimulatory activity and justify its traditional use for the control and management of diseases in which the immune system needs to be stimulated like infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hafiz Muhammad Farhan
authors.initials: HMF
authors.lastname: Rasheed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rasheed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Abdul Wahid
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Electronic address: qaiser.jabeen@iub.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Qaiser
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jabeen
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D029062:Apocynaceae; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D003889:Desert Climate; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010154:Pakistan; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012756:Sheep; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000941:Antigens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Cyclophosphamide; Immunostimulant; Leptadenia pyrotechnica; Levamisole; Phagocytic index