Effect of Euphorbia hirta leaf extract on immune system of poultry

The effect of Euphorbia hirta leaf extract (ELE) on immune system of poultry was studied. ELE (10–100 mg/kg) was administered in poultry daily orally for 30 days. The group of birds fed with 30 and 100 mg/kg of ELE did not show significant change in lymphocyte stimulation either by Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the difference in the stimulation of lymphocytes by PHA in birds fed with 10 mg/kg of ELE was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control group; while it remained unchanged by LPS. ELE, at the dose rate of 10 and 30 mg/kg did not show significant change in the number of macrophages engulfing Nitro blue Tetrazolium (NBT). However, the group of birds fed with ELE at dose rate of 100 mg/kg showed significant (p<0.001) decrease in the number of macrophages engulfing NBT as compared to control. No significant change in the haemagglutination inhibition titer was observed in any of the group administered with ELE as compared to control. It is concluded that ELE at lower dose (10 mg/kg.b.wt.) may act as immunopotentiator. However, at higher dose (100 mg/kg.b.wt.), it acts as immunosuppressor.