Screening of Immunomodulatory Activity of Extracts of Seeds of Jatropha curcas Linn. On Human Neutrophils

Jatropha curcas Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) traditionally claimed to be used as tonic, tissue builder and stimulant, the present work was undertaken to prove scientifically its tonic property as immunomodulator (immunostimulant) on human neutrophils by some in-vitro models, viz.- Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye test, phagocytosis of candida albicans and chemotaxis assay at different concentrations - 10μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 40μg/ml, 100μg/ml and 1000μg/ml (undiluted extract) of aqueous and petroleum ether(40-60° c) extracts of seeds of the plant. The extracts at concentrations of 1000μg/ml (undiluted extract) and 100μg/ml showed 70- 80% of phagocytic and chemotactic activities when compared to normal and positive controls in the parameters studied. However, the activity was lower at concentrations 40μg/ml, 20μg/ml and 10μg/ml. Preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, saponins and amino acids in the extracts; hence these compounds might be responsible for immunomodulatory (immunostimulant) activity.