Biological evaluation of ferulic acid as potent immunomodulator: An in vitro study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22377/ijgp.v8i2.374Abstract
Objective: The development of immunity and suppression of undesired immune reaction are two of the strategies that are responsible to control the disease. Immunomodulators, which are devoid of any untoward effects, can be administered for a long period for prevention of variety of diseases. Ferulic acid, a hydroxylated cinnamic acid is an abundant phenolic phytochemical found in cell wall of plants. It is one of the important phyto‑molecule with diverse therapeutic effects. The current work was proposed to determine in vitro immunomodulatory effects of ferulic acid. Materials and Methods: Nitroblue tetrazolium test, phagocytosis of killedCandida albicans, neutrophil locomotion and chemotaxis test and membrane stabilisation studies were performed to determine immunomodulatory effect of ferulic acid. Results: Ferulic acid caused stimulation of neutrophils causing phagocytotic activity to significant degree. Ferulic acid aroused the process of phagocytosis of killed C. albicans and demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) chemotactic activity at all tested concentrations. Ferulic acid at concentrations of 50-300 μg/ml demonstrated protection to goat erythrocytes membrane against lysis induced by heat solution. Conclusion: The present study suggests that ferulic acid could be
regarded as potential immunomodulatory compound. However, it would be interesting to understand in vivo behaviour of ferulic
acid under varied experimental conditions.
Key words: Ferulic acid, immunomodulatory, membrane stabilisation
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