Evaluation of immunostimulatory activity of Chyawanprash using in vitro assays

Indian J Exp Biol. 2015 Mar;53(3):158-63.

Abstract

Chyawanprash is an ayurvedic formulation used in Indian traditional medicinal system for its beneficial effect on human health. We investigated the immunostimulatory effects of Chyawanprash (CHY) using in vitro assays evaluating the secretion of cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1-alpha (MIP-1-α) from murine bone marrow derived Dendritic Cells (DC) which play pivotal role in immunostimulation. The effects of CHY on phagocytosis in murine macrophages (RAW264.7) and Natural Killer (NK) cell activity were also investigated. At non-cytotoxic concentrations (20-500 μg/ml), CHY enhanced the secretion of all the three cytokines from DC. CHY also stimulated both, macrophage (RAW264.7) as well as NK cell activity, in vitro. In conclusion, the data substantiates the immunoprotective role of CHY at cellular level mediated by immunostimulation in key immune cells viz. dendritic Cells, macrophages and NK cells.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Medicine, Ayurvedic*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Zymosan

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Chyavanprash
  • Cytokines
  • Plant Preparations
  • Zymosan