Evaluating Immunomodulatory Efficacy of Chenopodium ambrosioides- A Plant with Traditional Ayurvedic Relevance.

The genus Chenopodium is native plant of Western Asia. In Indian traditional literature including Atharva Veda, Rig Veda and Charak Samhita, its various therapeutic and medicinal applications have been mentioned. It has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine in South America, Europe and Brazil for anthelmintic, laxative, diuretic, humoral asthma properties. However, the mode of action is still unclear. Herein, we have evaluated immunomodulatory potential of various extracts of Chenopodium ambrosioides. The immunomodulatory potential was assessed by measuring production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species on stimulation of PBMCs with different dose of extracts. Activation of macrophage was assessed by stimulating the PBMCs with different doses of the extracts and evaluating the increase in percentage expression of CD86 on macrophages by flow cytometry. Further effect of these extracts on function of macrophages was assessed by production of IL-12 cytokine. It was observed that above said extracts showed significant increase in ROS and NOS production. These extracts also potentially activated the macrophages as evident by increased expression of CD86 on macrophages and further by increased level of IL-12 post stimulation. Chenopodium ambrosiodies has the potential to stimulate the activation of macrophages followed by increased IL-12 production indicating its immunomodulatory significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]