Evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of the methanol extract ofFicus benghalensisroots in rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis (Family Moraceae). Materials and Methods: Various extracts of the aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis were evaluated for potential immunomodulatory activity, using the in vitro polymorphonuclear leucocyte (human neutrophils) function test. The methanol extract was evaluated for immunomodulatory activity in in vivo studies, using rats as the animal model. The extracts were tested for hypersensitivity and hemagglutination reactions, using sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as the antigen. Distilled water served as a control in all the tests. Results: The successive methanol and water extracts exhibited a significant increase in the percentage phagocytosis versus the control. In the in vivo studies, the successive methanol extract was found to exhibit a dose related increase in the hypersensitivity reaction, to the SRBC antigen, at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg. It also resulted in a significant increase in the antibody titer value, to SRBC, at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg in animal studies. Conclusion: The successive methanol extract was found to stimulate cell mediated and antibody mediated immune responses in rats. It also enhanced the phagocytic function of the human neutrophils, in vitro.

Immunostimulant activity of standardised extracts of <i>Mangifera indica</i> leaf and <i>Curcuma domestica</i> rhizome in mice

“…The plates were incubated in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) incubator for one hour at 37 °C. They were allowed to settle at room temperature for 60 min until the plates showed a small button formation (negative pattern) [9]. Positive haemagglutination result was determined by the appearance of diffused color and absence of button shape formation at the bottom of well.…”

Anti-cancer potential of South Asian plants

“…It is locally known as Bot (Bangladesh), Bargad (India), Gotu Nuga (Sri Lanka), and belongs to the family Moraceae. Although there was immunomodulatory activity demonstrated using a methanol extract of F. benghalensis roots in an animal model 57 , only an in vitro study exists in support of its anti-tumor activity of this plant. Hawary et al 58 reported the methanol extract of F. benghalensis as a weak anti-tumor agent against HepG2 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines at a lower extant.…”

In-vitro study: Immunomodulatory and cytotoxicity effects of ethanolic leave extracts of Aegle marmelos and Ficus benghalensis

“…F. benghalensis is traditionally used as astringent, depurative, anti-inflammatory, ophthalmic, stypic, antiarthritic, diaphoretic, antidiarrhoeic, and antihelmenthic [26]. This was also the reason for choosing these two plants in this preliminary study.…”