Immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities of fresh juice extracts of <em>Brahmi</em> and <em>Guduchi</em>

Abstract

Medicinal plants mentioned in <em>Ayurveda </em>can be used as food or medicine due to their impact on human health and disease prevention. For example, <em>Guduchi </em>has been used as an immunomodulator for its ability to enhance the immune response. In the present study, fresh juice extracts of <em>Brahmi</em> and <em>Guduchi</em> was evaluated for its immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity. Fresh juice of <em>Brahmi</em> and <em>Guduchi </em>was prepared and lyophilized. The antioxidant activity of the same was evaluated against free radicals whereas immunomodulatory activity was carried out in cyclophosphamide induced immune-suppressed <em>Swiss albino</em> mice. Haemagglutination test was used to assess their effects on humoral response. Both these extracts showed<em> in vitro </em>antioxidant activities. <em>Brahmi </em>exhibited higher TAC (22.39&plusmn;1.39), phenolic content (24.93&plusmn;1.27) and hydroxyl radical scavenging effect (83.79 &plusmn; 0.88). Similar effects were observed with both extracts in total antioxidant activity against DPPH radical, reducing power and NO radical. Both the plants stimulated the humoral immune response. Increased haemagglutination inhibition was observed with <em>Brahmi </em>(6.40&plusmn;0.24) in comparison to <em>Guduchi </em>(6.20&plusmn;0.37). The results suggest that <em>Brahmi</em> and <em>Guduchi </em>both can be considered as promising immunomodulatory agents.