Stimulation of Immune Function Activity of the Extract of Heliotropium Indicum Leaves

Abstract

The objective of present study is to assess the immunostimulatory activity of H. indicum, using different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The immunostimulatory potential of the test compound was investigated by in vitro phagocytic index and lymphocyte viability tests using interferon α-2b, a standard immunostimulant drug. Other tests such as carbon clearance, antibody titer and delayed type hypersensitivity were studied in mice using levimasole as the standard drug.The dried leaves extract (200mg/ml) significantly increased the in vitro phagocytic index and lymphocyte viability in all assays. They also showed a significant increase in antibody titer, carbon clearance and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. To concludeH. indicum exhibited a dose-dependent immunostimulant effect, which could be attributed to the alkaloid content or due to the combination with other component(s).