In-vivo evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of Cyphostemma adenocaule (Steud. ex A.Rich)

BACKGROUND: Various indigenous medicinal systems including Ethiopians used Cyphostemma adenocaule for managing tumors, helminthiasis, snake envenomation, rabis virus, splenomegaly, and other immunological disorders. However, no scientific study was conducted to validate these traditional medicinal claims of the plant. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in-vivo immunomodulatory activity of the crude root extract and its solvent fractions. METHODS: Carbon clearance rate and humoral antibody titer were determined for 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of crude extract and solvent fractions among Swiss albino mice. Carbon ink and sheep red blood cells were used as antigens for carbon clearance assay and humoral antibody titer respectively. RESULTS: Among all groups, an increase in both carbon clearance rate and the humoral antibody titer was observed with an increase in the dose of both crude extract and solvent fractions. Compared to the solvent fractions of comparable doses, the crude extract showed better activity. The crude extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg revealed the highest and statistically significant augmentation of carbon clearance rate (0.1100 ± 0.0124) and humoral antibody titer (96.00 ± 14.31) compared to the vehicle control group. CONCLUSION: From our study, it is concluded that crude extract and n-butanol fraction showed promising immunostimulant activity by enhancing carbon clearance rate and humoral antibody titer.