Mintage Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences (ISSN: 2320-3315)

Author(s): BALAJI PANDIYAN*, VENKATACHALAM VENKATACHALAM, SIVAKKUMAR THILLAINAYAGAM, KANNAN KAMARAJAN

Objective: To screen the selected herb / herbal preparations for their effect on complement system Alternative Pathway activity. Methods:The effect of aqueous extracts of selected eight plants (Aegle marmelos, Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica, Curcuma longa, Cynodon dactylon, Phyllanthus amarus, Solanum trilobatum,Wedelia chinensisan herbal preparation (Trikattu churanum) and an active constituent (curcumin) on in vitrocomplement system alternate pathway activity was evaluated and compared with that of known immunostimulant levamisole and negative standard cyclophosphamide. Results:The results suggest that there is a concentration dependent increase in the AP activity for levamisole, AETC, AEST, ACCD, AECA, AEPA, AEWS, AEWC and AEAM. Among the samples investigated for allthe eight preparations exhibited increased AP activity though different extent when compared to positive control levamisole. Three preparations namely Cyclophosphamide (CYP-negative control), AECL and AECU did not  exhibit  any  effect  on  Alternate  pathway  activity.  It  may  be  due  to  the  fact  that  CYP,  AECL  and  AECU  suppress  the  immune  system  by  different  mechanisms  and  not through alternate pathway. Conclusion: In conclusion, the selected herb / herbal preparations stimulating innate immune system like complement system alternate pathway activity and also it is the better choice forthe treatment of infectious disease without causing autoimmune disorder