Effects of two formulations containing Phyllanthus emblica and Tinospora cordifolia with and without Ocimum sanctum in immunocompromised mice

Abstract

BackgroundCurrent pandemic has led us to explore the role of traditional system of medicine to look for formulations that enhance immunity. ObjectiveThe obejctive of this experimental study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of two formulations, Tinospora cordifolia (Tc) and Phyllanthus emblica (Pe) with and without coating of Ocimum sanctum (Os). Materials and methodsAfter obtaining Institutional Animal Ethics Committee approval, present experimental study was conducted to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of plant drug formulations against infection induced in mice subjected to major surgical stress. Hemisplenectomy was selected to induce major stress and the procedure for hemisplenectomy was standardized. A model of secondary fungal infection after hemisplenectomy was established followed by the treatment of mice with plant drugs and controls. They were subjected to hemisplenectomy or sham operation and 105 C. albicans were injected intravenously. The therapy continued for next 14 days. Kidneys were isolated to estimate fungal load. Fungal load of the kidneys was estimated on post-operative Day 15. ResultsThe test formulations Tc + Pe and Tc + Pe + Os showed significant reduction in the fungal burden of kidneys as compared to hemisplenectomized control group. However, Tc alone exerted better degree of protection as compared to Tc + Pe and Tc + Pe + Os. ConclusionThe formulations, Tc + Pe and Tc + Pe + Os that were developed on the basis of theoretical concepts were not found to be superior to Tc. Though the individual ingredients have been shown to possess immunnostimulant activities, in combination, Pe and Os blunted the effects of Tc. The basis for this drug interaction needs further exploration. Thus, the current experimental study validates immunomodulatory role of Tc. However, the addition of Pe with bhavana of Os does not lead to any augmentation of immunomodulatory activity of Tc. This study also underlines the need to generate data on Ayurveda formulations to understand the rationality of the multi-ingredient Ayurvedic formulations.