Immunomodulatory activity of methanolic fruit extract of Aegle marmelos in experimental animals

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory action of methanolic extract of Aegle marmelos fruit (FEAM) in experimental model of immunity. Methods: Cellular immunity was carried out by neutrophil adhesion test and carbon clearance assay, whereas, humoral immunity was analyzed by mice lethality test and indirect haemagglutina- tion assay. FEAM dose was selected by Stair case method (up and down) and administered at 100 and 500 mg/kg orally. The Ocimum sanctum (OSE, 100 mg/kg, p.o) was used as standard. Results: FEAM at 100 and 500 mg/kg produced significant increases in adhesion of neutrophils and an increase in phagocytic index in carbon clearance assay. Both high and low doses of FEAM significantly prevented the mortality induced by bovine Pasteurella multocida in mice. Treatment of animals with FEAM and OSE significantly increased the circulating antibody titre in indirect haemagglunation test. Among the different doses, low one was more effective in cellular immunity models than the high. However, all the doses exhibited similar protection in humoral immunity procedures. Conclusion: From the above findings, it is concluded that FEAM possesses potential for augmenting immune activity by cellular and humoral mediated mechanisms more at low dose (100 mg/kg) than high dose (500 mg/kg).