Protective effect of bioactive fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. against cyclophosphamide induced suppression of humoral immunity in mice.

The bioactive fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus produced dose dependent increase in humoral immunity and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response as evidenced by increased antibody production and increase in paw edema. The activity at higher doses, however, declines. Humoral antibody (HA) titre lowered by cyclophosphamide (CP) (p < 0.05) was enhanced by bioactive fraction at doses of 200 (p < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). There was dose dependent increase in HA titre in normal as well as immunosuppressed animals indicating that drug is effective in humoral immunity. Animals treated with cyclophosphamide and receiving bioactive fraction showed significant change in DTH response, which directly correlates with cell-mediated immunity, as compared to cyclophosphamide alone. Thus, it can be observed that a bioactive fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus acts as potentiator of DTH. Furthermore, the HPTLC fingerprint profile of the bioactive fraction was established to facilitate its identification and characterization. The results suggest that bioactive fraction influences both humoral and cell-mediated immunity and offers protection against immunosuppression induced by the cytotoxic agent cyclophosphamide.