Immunomodulatory effect of alcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula ripe fruits

Most of the synthetic chemotherapeutic agents are immunosuppressants and exerts variety of side effects. The herbal based immunomodulators are employed as supportive or adjuvant therapy to overcome the undesired effects of chemotherapeutics agents. Herbal drugs will be significantly more effective and highly efficacious supplement to use as a general adaptogen and immune strengthener in healthy people and as a very useful, safe and effective nutrient support tonic for those challenged by disease. The present work described that Terminalia chebula alcoholic extract shows immunomodulator activity. The various parameters determined were differential leukocyte count (DLC), phagocytic activity and zinc sulphate turbidity test. Oral administration of T. chebula alcoholic extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to increase the neutrophils and lymphocytes as compared to vehicle and cyclophosphamide treated groups. T. chebula alcoholic extract showed linear time dependent significant phagocytic activity as compared to SRBC sensitized and cyclophosphamide treated group. In zinc sulphate turbidity test T. chebula treated rats serum showed more turbidity (cloudy) which indicate the increase in the immunoglobulin level as compared to vehicle, SRBC sensitized and cyclophosphamide treated group. Finally it can be concluded that Terminalia chebula ripe fruits show potent immunomodulatory action.