A STUDY ON THE IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF THE LEAF EXTRACTS OF CASSIA AURICULATA LINN (CEASALPINIACEA) IN RATS

*Priyanka M., Shamshuddin, Dr. N. Venkat Rao and B. Parameshappa

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to evaluate immunomodulatory activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of leaves of C. auriculata. Albino rats of either sex were divided into 14 groups (6 animals each). Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of C. auriculata leaves were administered orally at a dose of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg body weight to healthy rats and levamisole, 2.5mg/kg was used as a standard drug. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was carried out by testing, Delayed type hypersensitivity and Haemagglutination antibody titre and Neutrophil adhesion test. Oral administration of the extracts significantly increased in cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity by facilitating the foot pad volume in response to the sheep RBCs in sensitized rats and significant increase in circulating antibody titre and significant increase in neutrophil adhesion to nylon fibres respectively. Hence it was concluded that C. auriculata increases both cell mediated and humoral immunity.

Keywords: Levamisole, Delayed type hypersensitivity, Neutrophil adhesion test, Haemagglutination antibody titre, Cell mediated immunity, Humoral immunity.