Evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of the methanol extract of<i>Ficus benghalensis</i>roots in rats

Abstract

<b>Objective:</b> To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the aerial roots of <i> Ficus benghalensis </i> (Family Moraceae). <br><b> Materials and Methods:</b> Various extracts of the aerial roots of <i> Ficus benghalensis</i> were evaluated for potential immunomodulatory activity, using the <i> in vitro</i> polymorphonuclear leucocyte (human neutrophils) function test. The methanol extract was evaluated for immunomodulatory activity in <i> in vivo</i> 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.<br><b> Results:</b> The successive methanol and water extracts exhibited a significant increase in the percentage phagocytosis versus the control. In the <i> in vivo </i> 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. <br><b> Conclusion: </b> 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, <i> in vitro</i>.