Immunomodulatory Effect of Gynura divaricata Extract toward Mice Immune Cell Population

Abstract

Immunomodulators refer to any substance that can promote or modulate immune function. The idea of immunomodulators has become increasingly significant around the world as people began to understand how essential the immune system is to preserve a healthy individual. There are various synthetic drugs used as immunomodulators. However, due to several adverse effects, people now prefer to utilize herbal alternatives. One of the candidates is Gynura divaricata. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Gynura divaricata extract toward mice immune cell population. The finding shows that Gynura divaricata extract contains 5.55 ± 0.67 mgQE/g flavonoid and 4.15 ± 0.35 mgGAE/g phenolic content. Furthermore, the immunostimulatory effect of Gynura divaricata extract towards mice immune cell population was then examined through leukocyte count assay in which treatments were administered through oral gavage technique. The finding shows that Gynura divaricata have selective immunostimulatory effect toward immunocompromised mice caused by infection but not towards irritated mice caused by gavage treatment or the control. This finding was indicated by the increase in mice survival rate and leukocyte count in immunocompromised mice in the first batch of treatment. Not to mention that each type of leukocyte was also analyzed and discussed in this study to investigate further conditions of the mice.