Immunostimulatory activity of ethanol extract from Calotropis gigantea L. flower in rats against Salmonella typhimurium infection

Calotropis gigantea L. flower contains a high value of flavonoid and polyphenol that potentially as an immunostimulatory agent. This research has been conducted to observe and acquire the immunostimulator effect of ethanol extract from Calotropis gigantea L. flower (EECGF) in rats, which were induced with Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhi). Rats were grouped into six, namely normal, negative control, positive control, EECGF dose 40mg/200g, 80mg/200g, and 120mg/200g body weight. Rats were treated for 12 days according to their respective groups, on the sixth day, rats were induced by S. typhi except for the normal group. Three days after infection, the Widal test was evaluated, and on the 12th day, an immune system parameter was evaluated. The results obtained, EECGF can increase the value of leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils, followed by an increase in CD₄ T cell values proportionally due to S. typhi infection. It was concluded that EECGF had immunostimulatory activity, EECGF dose 80mg/200g had the same character with positive control. However, the highest dose of extract 120mg/200g can cause splenomegaly.