The Phyllanthus emblica L. Infusion Carries Immunostimulatory Activity in a Mouse Model
Sukit Huabprasert BA*, Kanda Kasetsinsombat MSc*, Kaew Kangsadalampai PhD***, Adisak Wongkajornsilp MD, PhD*, Pravit Akarasereenont MD, PhD*,**, Uraiwan Panich MD, PhD*, Tawee Laohapand MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Background : Phyllanthus emblica L. (Indian gooseberry, Ma khaam pom) has been an herbal component of Thai traditional
recipes proposed to slow down the aging process. A number of methodologies have been employed to investigate the
immunological aspects of the so called “anti-aging effects” of P. emblica in a BALB/c mice model.
Objective : 1) To investigate the immunological efficacy of the anti-aging effects of P. emblica infusion in a BALB/c mice model.
2) To verify the safety for the consumption of P. emblica infusion in BALB/c mice.
Material and Method: For in vitro studies, splenocytes were isolated from mice and examined in comparison with the human
umbilical endothelial cells, fibroblasts and YAC-1 (mouse lymphoma) cells for proliferative activity upon the exposure to P.
emblica infusion. For in vivo studies, mice were orally administered with P. emblica infusion at a dose range of 0, 50, 100, 200
mg/kg BW for 14 days. After the treatments, splenocytes isolated from these mice examined for proliferative and NK cell
activities.
Results : For in vitro studies, the infusion of P. emblica could directly drive the proliferation of mouse splenocytes in a dose-
dependent manner. The P. emblica infusion itself was already cytotoxic to YAC-1 in the studied dose, while sparing the human
umbilical endothelial cells and fibroblasts. For in vivo studies, splenocytes isolated from these mice exhibited dose-dependent
proliferative activities. Only the isolated splenocytes from mice ingesting 100 mg/kg BW exhibited an enhancement in NK cell
activity.
Conclusion : P. emblica infusion could drive proliferative activity of splenocyte in vitro and in vivo, with an enhancement in
the NK cell-induced cytotoxic activity. The infusion in the aforementioned dose was safe throughout the study.
Keywords : Phyllanthus emblica, Splenocyte, Immunostimulation
