Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Effect of Eclipta prostrata whole Plant Extract on Albino Rats

The study aims to determine the immunomodulatory effect of Eclipta prostrata whole plant extract on albino rats by using various methods viz., carbon clearance test, cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia and neutrophil adhesion test. The results of Eclipta prostrata whole plant; increased the phagocytic index in carbon clearance test; prevented mortality induced by Eclipta prostrata by 17% in mice lethality test and prevented the cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia. The Eclipta prostrata also affected the humoral immunity; Both EHD (Eclipta prostrata high dose) and ELD (Eclipta prostrata low dose) produced a significant increase the serum immunoglobulin levels and produced a significant increase in antibody titre in indirect haemagglutination test. Eclipta prostrata low dose showed significant effect only in increasing the serum immunoglobulins level whereas it increased mortality in mice lethality test. To conclude, Eclipta prostrata bark possesses immunostimulant activity. In high dose, it stimulates both cellular and humoral arms of the immune response and the low dose stimulates only the production of antibodies.