Effect of Brahma Rasayana on antioxidant systems and cytokine levels in mice during cyclophosphamide administration

Intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide(CTX) 25mg/kg.b.wt. dose/ mouse for 10 days was found to suppress the tissue and serum level of reduc ed glutathione(GSH), blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and tissue levels o f superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase(CAT). Tissue levels of glutathion e reductase(GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were unaltered by CTX t reatment while serum and tissue lipid peroxide levels were significantly in creased. Oral administration of Brahma Rasayana BR-50mg/dose/mouse for 10 d ays and 30 days significantly enhanced the tissue levels of SOD, CAT, GST, GPX, serum and tissue GSH and significantly reduced the serum and tissue li pid peroxidation. BR treatment was also found to enhance the serum cytokine level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). interlcukin-2(IL-2) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in normal and CTX treated mi ce. The results are indicative of the use of BR to reduce the oxidant stres s induced by CTX treatment and its effect in cellular function.