Immunonature of ecteinascidia venui meenakshi, 2000 against ehrlich ascites carcinoma

In the recent scenario of emerging infectious diseases, studies on immunomodulations as an effective and protective approach have become inevitable. Demand for safe therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer is on the increase. The immunonature of the ethanol extract of Ecteinascidia venui was determined against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. After tumor inoculation, the extract at the dose of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight were administered orally and compared with the standard drug Vincristin (80 mg/kg bw). Analysis of Bone marrow cellularity, β-esterase activity, antibody titre, plaque forming cells, GGT, GSH and NO levels were carried out adopting standard procedures. Treatment with the extract increased bone marrow cellularity (26.16×106 cells/femur) and β-esterase positive cells (1218/4000 cells). The antibody titer was maximum (216.13±6.84) in Group III on the 15th day of treatment. Plaque forming cells in spleen increased gradually reaching a peak (224.53±2.65) on the 6th day. A reduction in serum Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), cellular Glutathione (GSH) and restoration of NO levels was observed on the 15th day in treated mice. The results indicate that the extract contains bioactive compounds playing important role in immune response.