ABSTRACT:
The immunomodulatory activity of Ficus dalhousiae Miq leaves methanolic extract was evaluated against cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppression in rats. Methanolic extract of leaves of Ficus dalhousiae (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg p.o.) were administered for 13 days to wistar albino rats and cyclophosphamide (30mg/kg i.p.) was administered on 11th,12th and 13th day 1 hour after the administration of the respective treatment. On the 14th day blood was collected by retro orbital puncture and the activity was evaluated by determining the RBC, Hb%, Platelet, total WBC and differential leucocyte count. Methanolic extract of leaves of Ficus dalhousiae showed very significant (p<0.001) counteracting effect to cyclophosphamide induced reduction in total WBC, DLC and platelet count and significant (P<0.01) effect to that of reduction in RBC counts and Hb%. The significant immunostimulant effect of the methanolic extract of Ficus leaf on cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression may be attributed towards the collective presence of saponins, and tannins in the extract.