Context: Immunostimulant plays an important role to prevent infections when defensive capacity of body is impaired, commonly occur with aging, cancer, diabetes, and sepsis. Kanakasava (KNK) is a polyherbal ayurvedic preparation used since ancient times for the treatment of respiratory diseases and to improve immunity.

Objective: The present study evaluated the immunostimulating potential of KNK.

Materials and methods: The immunostimulating activity of KNK was evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin M (IgM) production and splenocyte proliferation in vitro. BALB/c mice splenocytes were treated with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4% (v/v) of KNK, and the cells were subcultured at 37°C, humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO(2) for 120 h. The production of IgM in cultured supernatants were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proliferations of cells were measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y)-2,5-diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT) method.

Results and discussion: KNK at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5% (v/v) significantly augmented polyclonal IgM production (1.211, 1.260, 1.274, 1.180, and 1.028 µg/mL, respectively) compared to control (0.246 µg/mL). Similarly, the same doses stimulated the proliferation of splenocytes as well (Abs. 0.270, 0.281, 0.368, 0.328, and 0.301, respectively, measured at 570 nm) compared to untreated cells (Abs. 0.137). The activity of KNK was not retarded by the treatment of cells with polymixin B. Thus, our results demonstrate that KNK possesses immunostimulating potential that acts through the induction of lymphocytes for proliferation and IgM production.

Conclusion: KNK may be useful for strengthening immune responses in case of insufficient or impaired immunity.