Effect on the immunological competence of Physalis pubescens L. in mice

Abstract

Effect of different parts of the Physalis pubescens L. (Pp) on the immunocompetence were investigated in Kunming mice inbred lines. After 35 consecutive days of feeding, the mice were sacrificed to evaluate the immunologic function through the relative weights of spleen and thymus, the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), carbon particle clearance test and serum agglutination test. The results are summarised as follows: the pulp of Pp had statistically significant effect on the mice's non-specific immunity, but not on the weight of the mice's thymus. The Pp's pulp, peel and seeds had significant effect on the mice's cellular immunity, respectively, they had regulating effect on the mice's T-lymphocytes. Any part of Pp didn't have statistically significant effect on the mice's humoral immunity.

Keywords:

• mice
• immunoassays
• Physalis pubescens L
• DTH

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director, Food Science and Technology Department, Forestry College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China for providing the necessary facilities to carry out this research work. Authors express their sincere thanks to the reviewers for the valuable comments and suggestions on this manuscript.