STUDIES ON THE IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF ASHWAGANDHA

The immunomodulatory activity of an Indian Ayurvedic medicinal prepara tion, Ashwagandna ( Withania somnifera (L. Dunal)) was studied in mice with myelosuppression induced by one or more of the following three c ompounds: cyclophosphamide, azathioprin, or prednisolone. The assessme nt of immunomodulatory activity was carried out by hematological and s erological tests. A significant modulation of immune reactivity was ob served in all the three animal models used. Ashwagandha prevented myel osuppression in mice treated with all three immunosuppressive drugs te sted. A significant increase in hemoglobin concentration (P < 0.01), r ed blood cell count (P < 0.01), white blood cell count (P < 0.05), pla telet count (P < 0.01), and body weight (P < 0.05) was observed in Ash wagandha-treated mice as compared with untreated (control) mice. We al so report an immunostimulatory activity: treatment with Ashwagandha wa s accompanied by significant increases in hemolytic antibody responses towards human erythrocytes.