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Ethnopharmacological relevance: Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) is a well-renowned medicinal shrub, used by herbal practitioners for various ailments including allergic rhinitis, productive cough, abortion, diabetes, stomach disorders, fever, kidney disorders, stones and cancer

Aim of the study: On the basis of folkloric uses, L. pyrotechnica was selected from the wide medicinal flora of the Cholistan desert of Pakistan, for the exploration of immunomodulatory potential.

Materials and methods: Aqueous methanolic (30:70) extract of aerial parts of L pyrotechnica (Lp. Cr) was prepared by 3 days thrice maceration and subsequent evaporation under reduced pressure. In-vivo experiments were performed in Wistar albino rats including neutrophil adhesion test, haemagglutinating antibody (HA) titre, delayed-type hypersensitivity response, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamideinduced myelosuppression.

Results: Lp. Cr produced a significant increase in phagocytic index in dose-dependent fashion (3.56, 4.18 and 5.42 at 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, respectively) as well as an augmented response in the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and HA titre induced by sheep erythrocytes. Lp. Cr also showed improved adhesion of neutrophils with nylon pellets (15.28, 27.85 and 38.42% at the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/ kg) and prevented myelosuppression in cyclophosphamide-treated rats as evidenced from the hematological parameters. The results of treatment were compared with normal and standard control groups throughout the study and the effects by Lp. Cr (300 mg/kg) were found to be comparable with Levamisole.

Conclusions: The results indicated that L. pyrotechnica possesses immunostimulatory activity and justify its traditional use for the control and management of diseases in which the immune system needs to be stimulated like infectious diseases. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.