This study presents the immunomodulatory potential of Abrus precatorius Linn.
(Indian wild licorice) leaves. A hydroalcoholic extract of A. precatorius
leaves (EAPL) was prepared by maceration. Thirty male mice were divided into
five groups as follows: control group, model control group
(cyclophosphamide-treated), and three treatment groups (treated with EAPL at
doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, per os, daily for 14 days). Parameters,
including hematological, biochemical, organ indices, hemagglutination test
(HA titer), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), interleukin-2 (IL-2) level,
splenocyte proliferation and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight
mass spectrometry (LCQTOF- MS) analysis were evaluated. Histopathological
examination was carried out for the spleen, kidney and liver.
Cyclophosphamide (CPMD)-induced changes in white blood cells, lymphocytes
and platelets were improved in the treatment groups. Total protein and
albumin levels in the treatment groups were significantly higher. EAPL
treatment significantly stimulated splenic T-lymphocytemediated
proliferation. Neutrophil adhesion was insignificantly decreased in the
model control group compared to the normal control group, which was slightly
improved by EAPL treatment. EAPL treatment significantly improved the HA
titer and cell-mediated immunity, which is an indication of antibody
production. The IL-2 level was significantly higher in the treatment groups
that received 200 and 300 mg/kg EAPL. LC-QTOF-MS analysis of EAPL showed the
presence of flavonoids, lignans, iridoids and phenolic glycosides. These
results suggest that A. precatorius leaves are a good candidate for a new
immunomodulatory herbal formulation.