In vitro and in vivo evaluation for immunomodulatory activity of methanol extract of Sphaeranthus indicus (Linn)

The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity for methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. at different doses as 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. in healthy wistar albino rats. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was evaluated for humoral immunity (antibody titre, plaque forming cell assay and quantitative haemolysis of SRBC) and cellular immunity (delayed type hypersensitivity, T- cell population and drug induced myelosuppression) with antigen challenge by sheep RBCs. Methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus along with the antigen (sheep red blood cells) showed significant increase in the circulating antibody titer and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen at the dose of 100 mg/kg bd.wt. as compare to 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. Methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus also showed significant (p < 0.01) increase in the DTH response, restoration of histological parameters, increase in lymphocytes and rosettes formation in T-cell population at dose of 400 mg/kg bd.wt. as compare to  100 and 200 mg/kg bd.wt. The present investigation reveals that Sphaeranthus indicus can be used as immunomodulator for activation of both specific and non- specific immune responses

In vitro and in vivo evaluation for immunomodulatory activity of methanol extract of Sphaeranthus indicus (Linn)

The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity for methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. at different doses as 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. in healthy wistar albino rats. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was evaluated for humoral immunity (antibody titre, plaque forming cell assay and quantitative haemolysis of SRBC) and cellular immunity (delayed type hypersensitivity, T- cell population and drug induced myelosuppression) with antigen challenge by sheep RBCs. Methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus along with the antigen (sheep red blood cells) showed significant increase in the circulating antibody titer and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen at the dose of 100 mg/kg bd.wt. as compare to 200 and 400 mg/kg bd.wt. Methanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus also showed significant (p < 0.01) increase in the DTH response, restoration of histological parameters, increase in lymphocytes and rosettes formation in T-cell population at dose of 400 mg/kg bd.wt. as compare to  100 and 200 mg/kg bd.wt. The present investigation reveals that Sphaeranthus indicus can be used as immunomodulator for activation of both specific and non- specific immune responses

Performance of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) under Spacing and Nutrient Management Practices in Cauvery Command Area

An investigation was carried out at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Vishweshwaraiah Canal Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, spanning from September to December in both 2020 and 2021. The purpose was to analyze how varying spacing and nutrient management practices affect the yield and growth rate of chia plants. The study involved two different spacings (S) and six levels of organic nutrients (N). Employing a 2 × 6 × 3 factorial experiment design within a randomized complete block framework with three replications, the experiment was conducted over a two-year period. The spacing of 60 cm × 15 cm (S2) resulted in notably higher absolute growth rates (1.00 and 1.87 g/day, respectively at 30 – 60 and 60 – 90 DAS) and biomass duration (221.84, 893.45 and 2182.73 days, respectively at 0 – 30, 30 – 60 and 60 – 90 DAS). Conversely, for relative growth rate (1.67 and 1.19 g/g/day × 10-2, respectively at 30 – 60 DAS and 60 – 90 DAS) and leaf area ratio (2180.90, 1967.19 and 1522.35 cm2/g × 10-2, respectively at 30, 60 and 90 DAS), higher values were observed with 45 cm × 15 cm spacing (S1). Among the various organic nutrient levels, the highest absolute growth rate (1.09 and 2.01 g/day, respectively at 30 – 60 and 60 – 90 DAS) and biomass duration (259.18, 1009.48 and 2403.23 days, respectively at 0 – 30, 30 – 60 and 60 – 90 DAS) were recorded with N6, while greater relative growth rate (1.86 and 1.20 g/g/day × 10-2, respectively at 30 – 60 DAS and 60 – 90 DAS) and leaf area ratio (2616.15, 2206.54 and 1723.31 cm2/g × 10-2, respectively at 30, 60 and 90 DAS) were found with N1. The interaction between spacing and organic nutrient levels did not yield any significant differences with respect to absolute growth rate, biomass duration, relative growth rate and leaf area ratio