The immunomodulatory effects of chito-oligosaccharides derived from Alcaligenes faecalis chitinase on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice

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• E-COS and C-COS restored hematopoietic function in Cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppression. • Organ indices normalized, reversing spleen hypertrophy and thymus/liver atrophy. • Histology showed preserved thymic structure and reduced splenic lymphocyte loss. • Cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) increased, counteracting Cyclophosphamide suppression. • Oxidative stress markers improved, restoring redox balance in treated mice. This study explores the immunomodulatory effects of chito-oligosaccharides (COS) derived from Alcaligenes faecalis chitinase in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model in Swiss albino male mice. Mice received cyclophosphamide (80 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce immunosuppression, followed by oral administration of enzymatically derived COS (E-COS) and chemically synthesized COS (C-COS) at 20 mg/kg/day for 15 days. Both E-COS and C-COS significantly increased WBC (4.50 ± 0.71 and 5.37 ± 0.91) and RBC (5.80 ± 0.83 and 5.74 ± 0.86) counts compared to the cyclophosphamide group (1.43 ± 0.49 and 2.54 ± 0.76). Histopathological analysis showed thymic architecture restoration and reduced splenic lymphocyte apoptosis. Additionally, COS treatment elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and decreased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, glutathione). These findings suggest that COS possess immunomodulatory potential and may counteract cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression.