Immunomodulatory Effect of Water Soluble Polysaccharides Isolated from Metroxylon sagu in Animal Models of Immunosuppression

Aim: This study was aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory activity of water soluble polysaccharides isolated from Metroxylon sagu (PSMS) by dilute acid extraction, ethanol precipitation in rats by using three different in-vivo experimental models of immunosuppression. Methodology: Three models of immunosuppression include metronidazole (MTZ) induced immunosuppression, pyrogallol induced immunosuppression and Ethanol-induced immunosuppression. Immunological indices like humoral antibody titer values, cellular immune response, percent change in phagocytosis, serum immunoglobulins were estimated. Histopathology of spleen was done in all control and treated groups. The doses of 500 and 250 mg/kg of PSMS were administered orally to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity. Results: Though PSMS was demonstrated to have immunostimulatory activity in almost all three models of immunosuppression, PSMS was found to be more effi cacious against ethanol-induced immunosuppression when compared with pyrogallol induced immunosuppression and MTZ induced immunosuppression. However, dose-dependent improvement in immunological indices was evident in all three models. Conclusion: In summary, water soluble polysaccharides isolated from M. sagu stimulate the immunity in the animal models of immunosuppression.

Key words: Immunomodulation, immunosuppression, Metroxylon sagu, oxidative stress, polysaccharides.