title: Immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract ofNyctanthes arbor-tristisflowers with particular reference to splenocytes proliferation and cytokines induction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract ofNyctanthes arbor-tristisflowers (NAFE) with particular reference to splenocytes proliferation and induction of cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibody titer was determined by tube agglutination and indirect ELISA assay in four groups of mice-control, antigen alone, and NAFE-treated (400 and 800 mg/kg for 21 days) after immunization withSalmonellaantigen while cellular immunity was studied in three groups of rats (control and NAFE-treated - 400 and 800 mg/kg) following DNCB application. Splenocytes from untreated and NAFE-treated rats were stimulated using concanavalin-A (Con-A) and optical density (OD) and stimulation index were determined. Splenocytes from control rats were also treatedin vitrowith NAFE (50-1600 μg/ml) and Con-A to determine the effect on splenocytes proliferation. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6 levels in splenocytes supernatant from control and NAFE-treated rats and followingin vitrotreatment of splenocytes with NAFE (50-1600 μg/ml) were determined using ELISA kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Marked to a significant increase in antibody titer by both the methods in NAFE-treated mice and a significant increase in skin thickness in rats after challenge with DNCB, respectively suggested humoral and cell-mediated immunostimulant potential of NAFE. Significant increase in OD and stimulation index following e x vivo andin vitroexposure of splenocytes and sensitization with Con-A and significant elevation in IL-2 and IL-6 levels in splenocytes supernantant was also observed after theirex vivoandin vitroexposure to NAFE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Humoral and cell-mediated immunostimulant activity of NAFE seems to be mediated through splenocytes proliferation and increased production of cytokines, especially IL-2 and IL-6.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Chandrabhan Kumar
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Bharshiv
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Satish Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, U.P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bhatia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D029592:Oleaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antibody titer; Nyctanthes arbor-tristis flowers; cell-mediated; cytokines; interleukin-2; interleukin-6; splenocytes proliferation