Abstract

Objective: To explore the immunomodulatory properties of aqueous extract of Polygonum minus Huds (P. minus), on swiss albino mice using carbon clearance assay. Methods: The study was performed using in-vivo carbon clearance assay or phagocytosis. Aqueous extract of P. minus was administered by oral route to Swiss albino mice for seven days. Levamisole, 2.5 mg/kg was used as standard drug. Results: The phagocytic function of reticuloendothelial system was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by levamisole and P. minus aqueous extract groups compared to the control. Treatment with aqueous extract of P. minus at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight resulted in dose dependent increase in phagocytic index (K) where phagocytic index of aqueous extract of P. minus at 400 mg/kg body weight is comparable to the standard drug Levamisole at 2.5 mg/kg body weight. Conclusions: Aqueous extract of P. minus has exhibited significant increase in phagocytosis at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight.

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