Scrutinizing the role of aqueous extract of Trapa bispinosa as an immunomodulator in experimental animals

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to scrutinize the immunomodulatory potential of aqueous extract of fruits of T. bispinosa (TBAE) in experimental animals. The immunomodulatory effect was assessed in rats against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as antigen by studying cell-mediated delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), humoral immunity response and percent change in neutrophil count. Macrophage phagocytosis assay was carried out by carbon clearance method in mice. Oral administration of TBAE dose dependently increased immunostimulatory response. Delayed type hypersensitivity reaction was found to be augmented significantly (p<0.05) by increasing the mean foot pad thickness at 48 hr and production of circulatory antibody titre (humoral antibody response) was significantly (p<0.05) increased in response to SRBC as an antigen. In addition, immunostimulation was counteracted by up regulating macrophage phagocytosis in response to carbon particles. Immunostimulatory property of TBAE further confirmed by elevated neutrophil counts significantly (p<0.01) compared to control values. The result of present study suggests that aqueous extract of fruits of T. bispinosa could stimulate the cellular and humoral response in animals and it deserves further researches to develop an immunostimulating agent among herbal origin.