Isolation and immunomodulatory activity of phytoconstituents of Lagenaria siceraria fruits

Abstract

Medicinal plants are being used since antiquity to treat variety of diseases. Several medicinal plants have been reported to have effect on immune system. The prime objective of ayurveda, one of the ancient Indian system of medicines, is the prevention of disease process. The different health care measures to be adopted by an individual are grouped together under the heading of rasayana. The word rasayana in Sanskrit literally implies the circulation of rasa, the nutrient. Rasayana is antiaging, increases the life span, promotes intelligence and memory and increases resistance to diseases. Rasayana plants possess various pharmacological properties e.g. immunostimulant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antirheumatics etc. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley is a medicinal plant and utilizable species. The fruits of this plant have been scientifically investigated in experimental animals for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, diuretic, antidiabetic and hepatoprotective activities. Earlier researchers have reported several phytoconstituents in fruits viz saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, carbohydrates etc. However there is paucity of data available on the effect of extracts of fruits of Lagenaria siceraria on immune system. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of different extracts/fractions of Lagenaria siceraria fruits in experimental animals. Further from bioactive fractions phytoconstituents were isolated using column chromatography and few of the isolates were again tested for their possible immunomodulatory activity.