Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic extract (CPE) of Calotropis procera Ait. root bark in experimental mice. Ethanolic extract of the root bark of C. procera was evaluated for immunomodulatory activity using immunological tests in mice, viz. the humoral mediated antibody titre (AT), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), peritoneal macrophage count, vascular permeability, haematological profile i.e. total red blood cell count (RBC), total leucocyte count (TLC), % neutrophils and % lymphocytes) and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression (CIM) at three dose levels (50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1). Oral administration of CPE at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg in mice dose dependently enhanced the serum primary and secondary antibody level in mice and promoted the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) against SRBC as compared with control group by increasing the mean foot pad thickness at 24, 48 and 72 h. Peritoneal macrophages in mice were significantly augmented (P<0.05). In hematological profile the TLC and % lymphocyte count increased significantly but the neutrophil count was decreased compared with the control. The percentage reduction in vascular permeability was increased in CPE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; p.o.) treated groups (32, 45 and 62 % resp.) compared to the control group. CPE prevented myelosuppression in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. The above findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of root bark of C. procera stimulate defense system by modulating several immunological parameter and can be complementary medicine for the management of immunodeficiency disorders.