Immunomodulatory Activity of a Polyherbal Immune Blend in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The immune system plays an important role in protection against foreign organisms and its modulation is implicated in infection, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Several plant extracts have been explored as immune modulators which work either as immunosuppressive or immune-stimulating agents. he present study explores an in vivo immunomodulatory activity of an in-house formulated combination of plant extracts, called as Immune blend consisting of extracts of Boswellia, Ashwagandha, Neem, Ultrasol Curcumin, and Star anise. Methods The study was performed using 32 male wistar rats divided into 4 groups (vehicle control, dexamethasone, immune blend, dexamethasone + immune blend). Immunosuppression was induced in rats using dexamethasone (5 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally. The in-vivo immunomodulatory activity of Immune blend (at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight) was evaluated by measurement of hemagglutination titer, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response against a foreign antigen and carbon clearance test. Additionally, synergy of the combination of plant extracts was measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced THP1 cells for their ability to inhibit inflammatory cytokines through fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS). Results Immune blend demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) increase in hemagglutination titer against sheep red blood cell (SRBC) as compared to dexamethasone control animals. Further immune blend also led to significant increase (P < 0.05) in cell mediated immune response against SRBC as measured by foot paw edema as compared to dexamethasone control animals. Pretreatment with the immune blend also showed a significant rise (P < 0.01) in phagocytic index indicated by phagocytic activity. Immune blend significantly inhibited expression of TNF-α and IL-2 in LPS-stimulated THP1 cells with synergistic response with the blend as compared to individual ingredients. Conclusions The study revealed that the immune blend stimulates both the cellular and the humoral immune responses under normal and immunosuppressed conditions in wistar rat model suggesting its therapeutic usefulness. Funding Sources OmniActive Health Technologies Limited.