Immunosuppressive effect of the aqueous extract of <i>Kalanchoe pinnata</i> in mice

Abstract

Abstract The aqueous extract of Kalanchoe pinnata leaves was found to cause significant inhibition of cell‐mediated and humoral immune responses in mice. The spleen cells of animals pre‐treated with K. pinnata showed a decreased ability to proliferate in response to both mitogen and to antigen in vitro. Treatment with K. pinnata also impaired the ability of mice to mount a delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) to ovalbumin. The intravenous and topical routes of administration were the most effective by almost completely abolishing the DTH reaction. The intraperitoneal and oral routes reduced the reaction by 73% and 47% of controls, respectively. The specific antibody responses to ovalbumin were also significantly reduced by treatment. Together, these observations indicate that the aqueous extract of K. pinnata possesses an immunosuppressive activity.