Study of in vivo immunomodulatory and in vitro anticancer effects in Convolvulus pluricaulis, Michelia champaca and Chromolaena odorata and in vivo nephroprotective activity in Pithecellobium dulce​

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Background: Evaluation of preclinical immunomodulatory anticancer models are very crucial in the process of drug discovery and development. Dysfunctional immune system is linked with disorders like autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancer and as a treatment immunosuppressive or immunostimulant drugs are prescribed aiming at immune system disease. Synthetic drug treatments can lead to drug induced kidney failure or nephrotoxicity which is a widespread issue and its prevalence is around 66% among older adults. Globally nephrotoxicity has become a major concern due to frequent use of drugs that are nephrotoxic and continuous intake/exposure to such drugs can cause acute and chronic kidney disease. Objective: 1. To screen the ethanolic extracts of selected three medicinal plants – CP, MC, CO and combination (COMB) of above three plants (CP+MC+CO) for in-vivo and in-vitro immunomodulatory anticancer activity to cause a total effect of extracts (combination) higher than the sum of single effect of each extract. 2. To evaluate nephroprotective activity of phytocompounds which were isolated from the methanol fractions of the bark of Pithecellobium dulce in rat model. Methodology: The extracts of CO, MC and CO were subjected for 1. In-vivo immunomodulatory models – Carbon clearance test, Delayed Type Hypersensitivity test and Haemagglutination antibody titre in albino wistar rats based on acute oral toxicity tests. 2. In-vitro anticancer potential using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay against breast and colon cancer cell lines at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 µg/ml. 3. Methanolic fractions of PD were subjected for cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity, and paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity. Results: The extracts of CP, MC and CO have shown effects on cellular and humoral mediated immunity thus confirming its immunomodulatory potential and inhibited percent control growth in dose dependent manner for both breast and colon cancer cell line. Pithecellobium dulce was found to exhibit nephroprotective activity. Conclusion: Considering the positive outcome in all selected models, the selected medicinal plants could be further explored for future studies. Optimization in experimental conditions or turning extracts into novel drug delivery systems can enhance the medicinal effects of the plants.