Immunomodulatory effect of a polyherbal formulation (Febrojith) on CD4+/CD8+ T cells and associated inflammatory cytokines in experimental animal model

Abstract

Herbal medicines have been in the mainstay of alternative system of medicine, effectively employed for thousands of years to modulate immune system functions. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory action of a polyherbal formulation febrojith (FB), on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rats. For this study, rats were treated with 10 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (Cy) orally for 30 days. Levamisole (Std) was used as the standard drug. The animals were divided into four groups: Group 1: Normal control (NC); Group 2: Cy treated; Group 3: Cy + Std (50 mg/kg bwt); Group 4: Cy + FB (100 mg/ kg bwt). The experimental duration was 30 days. The immunomodulatory effects of FB were evaluated by analyzing various parameters associated with humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The results showed that the FB treatment in immunosuppressed rats alleviated significant changes in organ index and haematological markers. Furthermore, FB treatment significantly balanced Th1 type cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) and Th2 type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) levels and thereby regulating and restoring immune functions. FB also enhanced the humoral immune response. Additionally, FB normalized antioxidant enzymes levels compared to the Cy treated group, thereby protecting the normal functioning and architecture of spleen and thymus. Flow cytometry analysis of T-cells subsets (CD 3+, CD4+ and CD 8+) revealed that FB treated group significantly improved the progression of immune cells compared to the Cy- treated group. Histopathological analysis further confirmed that FB treatment reversed Cy induced pathological alterations and protected immune organs. These findings demonstrate that FB can serve as an effective phytotherapeutic agent with potent immunomodulatory action.