Immunomodulatory Effect of Triphala during Experimentally Induced Noise Stress in Albino Rats

Stress is a term that generally has a negative connotation, which results in immune dysfunction. In this study, immunomodulatory effect of Triphala (equal proportion of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis) during noise-stress in male albino rats was evaluated by analyzing the antibody titer, cytokines IL-2-Interleukin (2), IL-4 and IFN-Interferon (gamma) and Pan T, CD4/CD8 lymphocyte phenotype in spleen. Four groups of rat were employed namely control, Triphala (1 g/kg body weight), noise-stress (100 dB/4 hr/15 days), Triphala + noise-stress and rats were immunized with sheep red blood cells (5 × 109 cells/ml). Results indicate that noise-stress induced elevation in the serum antibody titer and IL-4 levels associated with decreased IL2, IFN-gamma, and reduction in Pan T, CD4/CD8 lymphocyte phenotype in spleen were significantly prevented in Triphala treated noise-stress exposed group. This study showed the immunomodulatory effect of Triphala during noise-stress and suggests its therapeutic usefulness.