204-207The leaves of Spilanthes acmella Murr. have been used traditionally as tonic
and in the treatment of rheumatism, gout, sailagogine and claimed to possess
immunostimulant activity. In the present study, the ethanolic extract (500mg/kg
bwt p.o.) of its leaves was evaluated for immunomodulatory activity using
various models like modulation of macrophage function (morphometric and
functional changes in mice), carbon clearance assay with the help of Indian ink
dispersion (0.5ml/100g bwt i.v.) in mice and immunoprophylactic effect with the
help of Escherichia coli (0.5ml/100g
bwt i.p.) in mice. The extract (500mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) exhibited significant (P<0.01) peritoneal macrophage
stimulation and 25 to 50% mortality as compared to control mice, indicating its
prominent immunostimulant activity