Comparative evaluation of indigenous herbal drugs for their effects on non-specific and cell mediated immunity in rabbits

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of indigenous herbal drugs i.e. immunol (syrup),gen-xing (tablet) and mufarreh yakuuti (semi-solid) on non-specific and cell mediated immunity in rabbits. a total of 50 healthy rabbits were divided into four groups i.e. 1,2,3 and 4. first three groups consisted of 15 rabbits each and five rabbits in group 4 which served as control. rabbits in group 1,2 and 3 were further divided into three sub-groups (a,b and c). drugs were administered orally at three increasing dose levels (normal,25% and 50%) for 29 days. effect on non-specific immunity and cell mediated immunity was observed by % neutrophil adhesion (% na) and delayed type hypersensitivity (dth) response against sheep red blood cells (srbc). results showed significant (p<0.05) increase in % na (92.58±2.36) at 50% increased dose level of immunol at 14th day whereas at 29th day immunol and gen-xing showed significant increase in % na at all dose levels and mufarreh yakuuti at normal and 25% increased doses with respect to control. the dth response was also statistically significant in all treated groups in terms of mean increase in skin thickness in mm with both 1% and 2% srbc in comparison to control. the study revealed that the all three herbal products did stimulate the immune system of rabbits both non-specifically and specifically in terms of significantly higher (p<0.05) values of % na and mean increase in skin thickness in comparison to control. however,immunol was found to be the best among three drugs used.