Evaluation of immunomodulatory effect of hydroalcoholic root extract of Chlorophytum arundinaeceum Baker in mice

Chlorophytum arundinaeceum is a plant possessing various medicinal properties. The aim of present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory activity of the hydroalcoholic extract (HRC) obtained from the root of the plant at the dose of 100 mg kg-1 and 200 mg kg-1. To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the hydroalcoholic root extract of Chlorophytum arundinaeceum Baker, to justify the traditional claim endowed upon this herbal drug as a rasayana in Ayurveda. The effect of the hydroalcoholic root extract of Chlorophytum arundinaeceum Baker (HRC) on the specific immune response was evaluated by the humoral antibody response. The effect of HRC on the phagocytic activity was evaluated by the carbon clearance test and neutrophil activation was evaluated by the neutrophil adhesion test for a nonspecific immune response. The data was analysed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramar multiple comparison tests. On oral administration, HRC showed a significant increase in the humoral antibody responses, by increasing the hemagglutinating antibody titre at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o. There was a significant dose dependent increase in the phagocytic index and percentage neutrophil adhesion at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o. The present study reveals that the hydroalcoholic root extract of Chlorophytum arundinaeceum Baker holds a promise as an immunomodulatory agent, which acts probably by stimulating both the specific and nonspecific arms of immunity. The results, thus justifies the traditional use of C.arundinaeceum as a rasayana drug.