6.3.9 Cynodon Dactylon (Family: Poaceae)
This plant is commonly known as Bermuda Grass Mainly found in Tropical and
Subtropical Regions. The active compound isolated in ethanolic extracts of C.
dactylon, are, Cynodin, beta-carotene, hydrocyanic acid, and triticin show powerful
antioxidants activity (Santhi and Annapoorani 2010; Pal et al. 2008; Pal 2008,
2009; Pal and Pandav 2010). Intraperitoneal administration of C. dactylon extract
significantly increased the adhesion of neutrophils to nylon fibers. Furthermore, the
antibody responsiveness in mice to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) significantly
increased owing to heightened responsiveness of macrophages and
antibody-synthesizing B-cells (Mungantiwar et al. 1999). Not only humoral but also
cellular immunity affected the administration of protein fraction of C. dactylon.
DTH that correlates to cell-mediated immunity increased due to increased sensitivity of T-cells (Santhi and Annapoorani 2010). Oral administration of C. dactylon
juice increased humoral antibody response against an antigen. C. dactylon inhibits
the release of TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1 and promoted anti-inflammatory IL-10 that in
turn inhibits PINFLCs (Moore et al. 2001). Studies in Catla catla showed that
ethanolic extracts of C. dactylon incorporated into the diet of the fish activated
nonspecific immune mechanism and afforded resistance against A. hydrophila
infection (Kaleeswaran et al. 2011).
6.3.10 Ficus Benghalensis (Family: Moraceae)
This tree is commonly known as Banyan Tree, Banyan Fig mainly found in Indian
Subcontinent. The root extract used in medicine since ages to boost the immune
system. The active phytoconstituents isolated from F. benghalensis contain glucosides (Bhattacharjee 2008), flavonoids, etc. The aqueous extract (methanolic and
water) shows immunostimulatory activity and increases the phagocytic action of
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It also activates the proliferation of
lymphocytes and thus the production of cytokines that activate further ICs (Gabhe
et al. 2006). The hydroalcoholic leaf extracts significantly increase the phagocytic
action of neutrophils and thus engulfment and clearance of microbes by leukocytes,
together with free radical scavenging activity and decrease of oxidative
stress, exhibited immunomodulatory and antioxidant action (Bhanwase and
Alagawadi 2016).
6.3.11 Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fisch (Family: Fabaceae)
This plant is commonly known as Chinese liquorice and found in Europe, Asia,
Russia and Turkey. Polysaccharides isolated from Licorice exhibited
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V. K. Gurjar and D. Pal
This plant is commonly known as Bermuda Grass Mainly found in Tropical and
Subtropical Regions. The active compound isolated in ethanolic extracts of C.
dactylon, are, Cynodin, beta-carotene, hydrocyanic acid, and triticin show powerful
antioxidants activity (Santhi and Annapoorani 2010; Pal et al. 2008; Pal 2008,
2009; Pal and Pandav 2010). Intraperitoneal administration of C. dactylon extract
significantly increased the adhesion of neutrophils to nylon fibers. Furthermore, the
antibody responsiveness in mice to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) significantly
increased owing to heightened responsiveness of macrophages and
antibody-synthesizing B-cells (Mungantiwar et al. 1999). Not only humoral but also
cellular immunity affected the administration of protein fraction of C. dactylon.
DTH that correlates to cell-mediated immunity increased due to increased sensitivity of T-cells (Santhi and Annapoorani 2010). Oral administration of C. dactylon
juice increased humoral antibody response against an antigen. C. dactylon inhibits
the release of TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1 and promoted anti-inflammatory IL-10 that in
turn inhibits PINFLCs (Moore et al. 2001). Studies in Catla catla showed that
ethanolic extracts of C. dactylon incorporated into the diet of the fish activated
nonspecific immune mechanism and afforded resistance against A. hydrophila
infection (Kaleeswaran et al. 2011).
6.3.10 Ficus Benghalensis (Family: Moraceae)
This tree is commonly known as Banyan Tree, Banyan Fig mainly found in Indian
Subcontinent. The root extract used in medicine since ages to boost the immune
system. The active phytoconstituents isolated from F. benghalensis contain glucosides (Bhattacharjee 2008), flavonoids, etc. The aqueous extract (methanolic and
water) shows immunostimulatory activity and increases the phagocytic action of
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It also activates the proliferation of
lymphocytes and thus the production of cytokines that activate further ICs (Gabhe
et al. 2006). The hydroalcoholic leaf extracts significantly increase the phagocytic
action of neutrophils and thus engulfment and clearance of microbes by leukocytes,
together with free radical scavenging activity and decrease of oxidative
stress, exhibited immunomodulatory and antioxidant action (Bhanwase and
Alagawadi 2016).
6.3.11 Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fisch (Family: Fabaceae)
This plant is commonly known as Chinese liquorice and found in Europe, Asia,
Russia and Turkey. Polysaccharides isolated from Licorice exhibited
242
V. K. Gurjar and D. Pal