Immunomodulatory activity of petroleum ether extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum

Pharm Biol. 2010 Nov;48(11):1247-54. doi: 10.3109/13880201003730642. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Abstract

Context: Anacyclus pyrethrum DC (Compositae) roots, commonly known as Pellitory root and locally as akarkara, are widely recognized in the Indian traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda, as a 'rasayana', i.e. a plant with immunomodulatory properties.

Objective: Evaluation of A. pyrethrum extract for its effect on normal and chemically suppressed immune systems in vivo.

Materials: Petroleum ether extract (PEE) of roots was tested at 50 and 100 mg/kg dose. The effect of both doses on total and differential leukocyte count, cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, survival rate against Candida albicans infection, delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, percentage neutrophil adhesion, and phagocytic activity were tested.

Results: The PEE-treated rats were able to overcome cyclophosphamide-induced myelo-suppression as evidenced by the normalization of blood parameters. Survival rate of albino rats was improved in Candida albicans-infected animals by treatment with the extract (p <0.05). An increase in delayed type hypersensitivity response (DTH), percentage neutrophil adhesion, and in vivo phagocytosis by carbon clearance method was observed after treatment. Extract administration also increased the HA titer value and IgG antibodies.

Discussion: Immunostimulant activity increased two-fold upon doubling the dosage of extract administered. While a significant (p <0.05) improvement was observed in the humoral component, a highly significant (p <0.01) effect was observed in the cellular components of the immunity evaluated. The results thus provide a basis for the use of A. pyrethrum as an adaptogen and immunomodulator in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Alkanes
  • Animals
  • Asteraceae / chemistry*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / toxicity
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Female
  • Hematinics / pharmacology
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / drug therapy
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Male
  • Medicine, Ayurvedic
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / physiology
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sheep

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Alkanes
  • Hematinics
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • naphtha