Study of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Pistacia khinjuk Extract on Rats

Medicinal herbs are widely used as immunostimulants and immunomodulators in treating various ailments around the world. Many herbs used regularly have not been thoroughly studied for their immune-modifying properties. The immunostimulatory effect of the methanol extract of Pistacia Shinjuku was tested in male rats. The experiment consisted of seven groups of animals, each with eight healthy adult mice. Control group (G1): normal saline (0.5 mL) was taken for 14 days. Group 2 (G2) received intraperitoneal cyclosporine (CSA) (5 mg/kg/BW) for 14 days Group 3 (G3): interferon alfa-2a subcutaneous injection 34.5 mg/kg/BW) in two doses week for 14 days. Group 4 (G4) (methanol extract of P. khinjuk, 3 g/kg/body weight) for 14 days, Group 5 (G5): methanol extract of P. khinjuk, 1.5 g/kg/body weight) for 14 days. Group 6 (G6): methanol extract of P. khinjuk 3 g/kg/body weight) for 14 days after cyclosporine injection. Group 7 (G7): methanol extract of P. khinjuk 1.5 g/kg/body weight) for 14 days after cyclosporine injection. On day 15, whole blood was collected in clean ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-vacutainer. Total white blood cells (WBCs) count, differential count, In addition to measuring the level of (IgM, IgG) in the blood serum. According to the results, the group treated with CsA showed an immunosuppressive effect with a significant decrease (P > 0.05) in the total number of WBC, differential count, antibody concentration, and cytokine level (TNF-α, CCL5 NF-κB), but increased the level of TGF-β as compared with other groups. At the same time, there were immunostimulatory effects in groups treated with extract Group 4, 5, 6, and 7, with a significant increase (p > 0.05) in the total number of WBC, Differential count and antibody concentration, and Cytokine level (TNF-α, CCL5, NF-κB). The decreased level of TGF-β, as compared to the CsA-treated Group. In conclusion, P. khinjuk possesses immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties against the adverse effects of cyclosporine in rats.