Augmentation of expression of immunocytes' functions by seed extract of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.).

OBJECTIVE

The present study was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.) seed extract to ascertain the folkloric claim as immunomodulator.

METHODS

The aqueous-ethanolic seed extract (100-400 mg kg(-1)) of Z. mauritiana was investigated for immunomodulatory potential in mice. The extract was standardized with HPLC using betulinic acid as a marker. Functions of various immunocytes in the form of humoral (development of anti-SRBC (sheep red blood cells) antibody titers) and cell-mediated immune response (delayed type hypersensitivity, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, inducible nitric oxide synthase activity and bactericidal activity) was studied in SRBC immunized mice. The cytokine, IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma) and IL-4 (interleukin-4) secretion was also measured quantitatively by ELISA as the expression of functions of Th-1 and Th-2 respectively. Levamisole (2.5 mg kg(-1)) was used as standard drug.

RESULTS

The seed extract demonstrated significant (P<0.05-0.001) up-regulation of cell-mediated, humoral immune response and Th-1 mediated cytokine IFN-gamma and decline in Th-2 mediated cytokine IL-4. At higher dose of extract the results were comparable to that of the levamisole.

CONCLUSIONS

The immunostimulatory potential of this seed extract is likely to be mediated through its effect on macrophage function and Th-1 mediated immunity confirming the folkloric use of this plant.