Effect of Withania Somnifera On Cytokine Production in Nol and Cyclophosphamide Treated Mice

Abstract

Administration of an extract from the powdered root of the plant Withania somnifera (Family: Solanaceae) enhanced the levels of Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) (75.87 pg/ml), Interleukin-2 (IL-2) (14.16 pg/ml) and Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (49.22 pg/ml) in normal Balb/c mice. The lowered levels of IFN gamma--(30 pg/ml), IL-2 (4.5 pg/ml) and GM-CSF (19.12 pg/ml) after treatment with cyclophosphamide (CTX) was reversed by the administration of Withania somnifera extract (IFN gamma--74 pg/ml; IL-2 7.5 pg/ml; GM-CSF 35.47 pg/ml). Withania extract lowered the levels of Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production. Administration of bonemarrow cells from donor mice treated with Withania extract increased the spleen nodular colonies in irradiated mice (8.33) compared to those treated with normal bonemarrow cells (3.03). The number of nodular colonies increased significantly when these animals were continued with Withania extract treatment. These results indicate the immunopotentiating and myeloprotective effect of Withania somnifera as seen from the enhancement of cytokine production and stem cell proliferation and its differentiation.

Immunoprotection by botanical drugs in cancer chemotherapy

“…Enhanced levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-2, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in normal BALB/c mice were observed on administration of extract from roots of Withania somnifera. The lowered levels of IFNgamma, IL-2, and GM-CSF after treatment with CP was reversed by administration of Withania somnifera extract with lowered levels of TNF-alpha, indicating immunopotentiating and myeloprotective effect (Davis and Kuttan, 1999). All these studies indicate various pharmacodynamic possibilities but based on previous studies indicate cytokine-mediated regulation by both, Withania and Tinospora leading to specific (cellular and antibody mediated) and non-specific (mainly macrophage mediated) immunoenhancement.…”

Selective Th1 up-regulating activity of Withania somnifera aqueous extract in an experimental system using flow cytometry

“…(Ziauddin et al, 1996;Davis and Kuttan, 2000). More studies on lymphocytes subpopulations and Th cytokines are needed to better understand its immunological basis (Dhuley, 1997;Davis and Kuttan, 1999). Comparative studies with established immunomodulators were also needed and the present study is such an attempt.…”

Prophylactic administration of Withania somnifera extract increases host resistance in Listeria monocytogenes infected mice

“…Its biologically active constituents are alkaloids (isopelletierine, anaferine), steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), saponins International Immunopharmacology 6 (2006) 1535 -1542 www.elsevier.com/locate/intimp containing an additional acyl group (sitoindoside VII and VIII), and withanolides with a glucose at carbon 27 [5]. Studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory [6], anti-tumor [7][8][9], anti-stress [10], anti-oxidant [11][12][13], anti-aging [14,15], analgesic [16] and hemato/ immunomodulator activities [17][18][19][20][21]. The use of W. somnifera has been mainly associated to its modulatory effect on the immune system [22].…”