IMMUNOMODULATING EFFECT OF JULIFLORINE ON THE ANTIBODY RESPONSE TO LISTERIA HEMOLYSIN Preliminary Report

SUMMARY: Juliflorine, an antimicrobial alkaloid, isolated from Prosopis juliflora is shown to possesses some immunomodulating activity. This activity was tested in rabbits and compared with Freund's complete adjuvant. Listeria hemolysin (antigen) was injected intramuscularly along with varying concentrations of juliflorine; and a dose related immune response was noted. After four weeks, following weekly doses of 30 mg/Kg of juliflorine, the antihemolysin titre was found high (1:1280) and more than that with Freund's complete adjuvant; but matches at 20 mg/Kg of juliflorine with Freund's complete adjuvant. On the other hand repeated injections of 30 mg/Kg of juliflorine were found toxic and produced tissue degeneration, increased lymphocyte count as high as 95%; and high level of lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol and triglyceride.