Immunopotentiating Effects of Centella asiatica (Linn.) in Chicken lymphocytes Culture System

Centella or Indian Pennywort, Centella asiatica Linn., Urban synonyms Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. The herb is known as brahmi in Unani medicine, mandookaparni in Ayurveda and gotu kola in the western world. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant. Medicinal plants can play important role in poultry industry if it included as diet additives. Present paper reports in vitro immunomodulatory effects of hydromethanolic extract of aerial part of Centella asiatica (CAE) in chicken lymphocytes system through lymphocytes proliferation assay. CAE was subjected to qualitative biochemical tests to detect various phytoconstituents. The Centella asiatica extract showed presence of proteins, carbohydrates, resins, tannins, saponins flavonoids alkaloids steroids phenolics and glycosides. CAE displayed significant increase in B and T cell proliferation in presence of mitogens as compared to control.