In vivo immunomodulatory activities of the aqueous extract of bonduc nut Caesalpinia bonducella seeds

摘要

This study evaluated the in vivo immunomodulatory activities of the aqueous extract of Caesalpinia bonducella Fleming (Caesalpiniaceae) seeds. C. bonducella is a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of India. In the present investigation, the aqueous extract of C bonducella seeds was tested for its effect on cell mediated and humoral components of the immune system in rats. Administration of C bonducella seed extract produced an increase of 93.03 +-4 mean hemagglutinating antibody (HA) titer and a change of 0.56+-0.058mm in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) as compared to control at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. Thus, the results of this study indicate that C. bonducella extract could be a promising immunostimulatory agent.The immune system is known to be involved in the etiology as well as pathophysiological mechanisms of many diseases. The role of the immune system has become increasingly important in the understanding of the mechanisms that are involved in disease prevention. Ayurveda gives emphasis on the concept of strengthening host defenses against different diseases (Thatte & Dahanukar, 1986).