Evaluation of Cassia angustifolia Vahl as an Immunomodulatory Agent

Abstract

Modulation of immune functions using medicinal plants and their products has currently become an accepted therapeutic approach for treatment of many diseases. The present study deals with evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of Cassia angustifolia Vahl on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed male Swiss albino mice. The crude methanolic leaf extract of C. angustifolia was administered orally to mice at dose of 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg for 14 days. For positive control, animals were treated with levamisole. On Day 15, blood samples were collected from animals by cardiac puncture and the immune response was evaluated by various immunological parameters. The administration of extract resulted in leucocytosis in animals accompanied by significant increase in neutrophil counts. The increment in neutrophil phagocytic index and delayed type hypersensitivity response was observed after extract treatment. These immune responses were found to be highest at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The values for hemagglutination antibody titer also showed dose-dependent increase in animals treated with extract. The results therefore indicate that the crude methanolic leaf extract of C. angustifolia stimulates both cell-mediated and humoral immune response in immunocompromised animals.