Immunotherapeutic modification of experimental infections by Indian medicinal plants

Abstract

Secondary infections are the most common cause of mortality in the immunocompromised host. A recent therapeutic approach has aimed at bolstering the host's defence mechanism to assist in eradication of infection, using naturally occurring and synthetic substances like BCG, C. pamum, muramyl dipeptide and glucans. Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Asparagus racemosus (AR) and Withania somnifera (WS) are plants prescribed in Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, as agents to strengthen host defence mechanisms. The present article reviews the effects of TC, AR and W S in diverse experimental infections. TC, AR and WS protected rats against caecal Ligation induced abdominal sepsis and mice against Escherichia coli peritonitis. This was associated with a faster bacteremia clearance. Myelosuppression induced by single and multiple doses of cyclophosphamide was reversed. Mortality due to Staphylococcus aumus sepsis in neutropenic and hemisplenectomized mice was reduced in treated animals. Candida albicans sepsis induced mortality was also reduced by the plants. The plants induced leucocytosis with predominant neutrophilia associated with stimulation of phagocytic and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils and macrophages. In view of their oral efficacy and relative lack of adverse effects, AR, TC and WS show promise as useful immunomodulators.

Water soluble fraction of Tinospora cordifolia leaves enhanced the non-specific immune mechanisms and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus

“…It is distributed throughout tropical Indian subcontinent and China, upto an altitude of 300 m [21]. In Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine, the powder and aqueous extract of the plant is used in debility, hepatitis, dyspepsia, jaundice and other liver afflictions.…”

Herbal Treatment of Osteoarthritis: A Hospital Based Clinical Study

“…In some of the states in India especially In Kerala, patients with emergency in case of poisonous snake bite are often first evaluated by Ayurvedic physicians who may even decide not to refer them any further (personal communication). The tremendous safety of Ayurvedic foundation of the much advocated "reverse pharmacology" 14 Several publications support purported anti-inflammatory and biologic effects of some popular anti-arthritic Ayurvedic medicinal plants 15,16 in the view of Ayurvedic treatment present study reveals that, the significant reduction of cracking pain in joints after treatment of Zingiber officinale rocs or Cissus quadrangularis Linn combined with Zingiber officinale rocs, Stiffness of joint relieved after treatment of Zingiber officinale rocs. Reduced Joint pain while moving after treatment with combination therapy of Cissus quadrangularis Linn + Zingiber officinalis rosc.…”

Effects of Tinospora cordifolia supplementation on semen quality and hormonal profile in rams

“…The beneficial effects of T. cordifolia in semen production and preservation are due to its action on whole body systems in general and the reproductive system specifically (Gupta and Viswanathan, 1956;Thatte and Dahanukar, 1989;Bishayi et al, 2002;Veena et al, 2002;Stanley et al, 2003;Nair et al, 2004;Rawal et al, 2004;Wesley et al, 2008;Sharma et al, 2011).…”