Effect of aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia on

18 BACKGROUND: The current practice of ingesting phytochemicals to support the immune 19 system or to fight infections is based on centuries-old tradition. Macrophages are involved at all 20 stages of the immune response. The present study focuses on immunostimulant properties of 21 Tinospora cordifolia in circulating macrophages of CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg body weight) intoxicated 22 male albino mice. 23 METHODS: Apart from damaging the liver system (data not shown), carbon tetrachloride also 24 inhibits the macrophage functions as is evident from our studies on peritoneal macrophages and 25 this study was based on morphology, cell adhesion, phagocytosis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) 26 release, nitric oxide (NO) release, DNA fragmentation and intracellular killing of such cells in 27 CCl4 intoxicated male albino mice. 28 RESULTS: The number of morphologically altered macrophages was increased in CCl4 29 intoxicated mice. Administration of CCl4 also reduces the phagocytosis, cell adhesion, MPO 30 release, NO release properties of circulating macrophages of mice. The DNA fragmentation of 31 peritoneal macrophages was observed to be higher in CCl4 intoxicated mice. The bacterial killing 32 capacity of peritoneal macrophages was also adversely affected by CCl4. However administration 33 of aqueous fraction of Tinospora cordifolia stem parts at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight (in 34 vivo) in CCl4 intoxicated male mice ameliorates the effect of CCl4, as the percentage of 35 morphologically altered macrophages, phagocytosis activity, cell and MPO release, NO release, 36 DNA fragmentation and intracellular killing capacity of CCl4 intoxicated peritoneal macrophages 37 come closer to those of the control group. 38 CONCLUSION: So, from our findings it can be suggested that, polar fractions of Tinospora 39 cordifolia stem parts may have major bioactive compounds, which have been found to boost the 40 immune system. However, the molecular mechanism of this activity of Tinospora cordifolia on 41 immune functions needs to be elucidated. No acute toxicity was identified in oral administration 42 of the aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia at a dose of 150 mg/kg body wt. 43