Preliminary immunomodulatory activities of the aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula

Abstract

Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.) Retz. (Combretaceae), a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of India, has been reported to possess antibacterial, laxative, antioxidant, and diuretic activities. In the current study, the aqueous fruit extract of Terminalia chebula has been investigated for its effect on cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune system in mice. Administration of Terminalia chebula extract produced an increase in humoral antibody (HA) titer and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice. It was concluded that the Terminalia chebula extract is a promising drug with immunostimulant properties. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.