RESEARCH PAPER |
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Year : 2000 | Volume
: 32
| Issue : 3 | Page : 221-225 |
Effect of Trichopus zeylanicus gaertn (active fraction) on phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages and humoral immune response in mice
A Subramoniam, DA Evans, S Rajasekharan, P Pushpangadan
Correspondence Address:
A Subramoniam
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |

Objectives: To evaluate whether Trichopus zeylanicus (active fraction) influences (1) phagocytosis by mice peritoneal macrophages (2) antibody dependent complement mediated cytotoxicity to Ehrlichs ascitic carcinoma (EAC) cells and (3) humoral antibody response in mice.
Methods: Phagocytosis of opsonized sheep RBC by peritoneal macrophages obtained from control or T. zeylanicus (active fraction) treated (10-40 mg/kg, daily, p.o., 5 days) mice was determined. The in vitro effect of the drug on macrophage phagocytosis was also studied. The effect of the drug on antibody dependent and complement mediated toxicity (ACC) to EAC cells was carried out using antiserum obtained from drug treated ( p.o., daily for 5 days) mice which were challenged with or without EAC cells. The effect of the drug on humoral immune response in mice was studied by measuring haemagglutination antibody titre and Jerne's plaque forming assay using sheep RBC as antigens.
Results: The drug treatment to mice resulted in stimulation of phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages; but in vitro treatment to macrophages did not influence their phagocytic efficacy. The drug treatment enhanced ACC, haemagglutinating antibody titre and the number of antibody producing spleen cells in mice.
Conclusion: The drug stimulates macrophage phagocytosis in mice; but not under in vitro conditions. The drug also enhances ACC mediated cancer cell killing and humoral antibody response in mice.
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