Immunomodulatory Effects of Gallic Acid against Cyclophosphamide- and Cisplatin-induced Immunosuppression in Swiss Albino Mice

Gallic acid is a triphenolic acid, widely distributed in fruits, vegetables and plants and is reported to produce antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and antitumor effects. In the present study, immunomoduatory effect of gallic acid was tested against cyclophosphamide and cisplatin; two widely used anticancer agents induced immunosuppression in Swiss albino mice. Cyclophosphamide and cisplatin are known immunosuppressive agents, which elicit variety of immune responses. In recent years much attention is given for the identification of plants or their bioactive compounds as immunomodulators. Three different doses of gallic acid i.e., 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg weight were administered orally for 7 consecutive days. Cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg) and cisplatin (10 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally as single dose. Levamisole 50 mg/kg was used as standard immunomodulatory drug. 0.5 % carboxymethyl cellulose was used as solvent control. Evaluation of immunomodulatory property of gallic acid was done by using haemagglutination antibody titre response and haematological parameters such as white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet counts and haemoglobin levels. Relative weight of thymus an important lymphoid organ was also determined. Augmentation of antibody titre values and haematological end points clearly indicated immunomodulatory effect of gallic acid against cyclophosphamide and cisplatin-induced myelosuppression in Swiss albino mice. Results indicate that, gallic acid could be used as an adjuvant with immunosuppressive drugs to reduce their adverse effects on immune system.