Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: The in vitro immunomodulatory activity of leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L) Sw. extracts on human neutrophils was carried out in the present study. The total alcoholic, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, acqueous extract and isolated flavonoid (F-1) compound of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L) Sw. were screened for their possible immunomodulatory activity by assessing nitroblue tetrazolium test, phagocytosis of killed Candida albicans, candidacidal assay, neutrophil locomotion and chemotaxis. All the extracts were tested at concentration of 10 mcg/ml, 100 mcg/ml, 250 mcg/ml, 500 mcg/ml and 1 mg/ml. The total alcoholic, petrolium ether, Ethyl acetate , n-butanol, aqueous extract and isolated compound showed predominantly significant activity on in vitro human neutrophils in all studied parameters, which are comparable to standard and control at different concentration indicating the possible immunostimulating effect. So the results of the investigations justify that the immunomodulatory activity on human neutrophils may be due to flavonoid present in ethyl acetate extract. Hence this study provides the basic platform to develop an herbal-formulation in the management of immune disorders.

Key words: Caesalpinia pulcherrima, chalcone flavonoid, nitroblue tetrazolium test, candidacidal assay, neutrophil locomotion and chemotaxis, immunomodulatary