IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT OF ASHWAGANDHA AGAINST DOXORUBICIN TOXICITY

Tarique Faizi Rizvi, Md. Razauddin, Md. Saif URRahman, Talat Jahan, Zeba Naz, Ranjit Kumar, Arun Kumar and Mohammad Ali*

ABSTRACT

Doxorubicin is a member of the Anthracyclin drug family and one of the most frequently used drug to treat many forms of cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumors. Doxorubicin is an essential component of treatment for childhood solid tumors and aggressive lymphomas and shows activity in acute lymphoblastic or myeloblastic leukemias. The use of the drug induced cardio toxicity and affects the immune functions. This toxic side effect makes the problem during cancer chemotherapy causes myelosuppression, mucosal ulceration, alopecia and diarrhoea etc. The aim of the study was to evaluate therapeutic impact of Ashwagandha for ameliorating the toxic side effects being produced during doxorubicin administration. In the present investigation aqueous root extract of Ashwagandha @ 300 mg/kg b.w. was used against administration of doxorubicin @ 5 mg/kg b.w. in rats. White Blood Cell count, Platelets and Absolute Lymphocyte Count were observed for immune function. A marked reduction in total count of WBC, ALC and Platelets were observed on day 5th however slight reduction in the above counts were also observedday 21st .and elevated level of Lipid Peroxidaion was observed on day 21st. When Ashwagandha @ 300 mg/kg b.w. administered five days prior to Doxorubicin administration and continued for 21 days, then significant increase in total count of WBC, ALC and Platelets were observed through out the cycle. Level of lipid Peroxidaion was also declined towards normal during cycle. Thus findings of present investigation showed that therapeutic potency of Ashwagandha ameliorate the toxicity produced during cancer chemotherapy.

Keywords: Ashwagandha, Doxorubicin, White Blood Cell Count, Absolute Lymphocyte Count, Platelets and LPO.