Abstract

M. Kannan*, A.J.A. Ranjit Singh, T.T. Ajith Kumar, P. Jegatheswari and S.Subburayalu

In this study the immunomodulatory potential of an Indian medicinal plant, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Oleaceae), was investigated. The leaf extracts of N. arbor-tristis is used to treat arthritis, lung injury and some painful conditions such as cancer, chronic fever and rheumatism. An ethanolic extract of N. arbor-tristis (NAEE) was screened in rats for humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Oral administration of the NAEE to rats at a dose of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg significantly enhanced the circulating antibody titre when challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and heat -killed Salmonella antigens. The chronic administration of NAEE increased the total counts of white blood cells (WBC) and potentated the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. The present study confirms the strong immuno-bioactivities in extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.