Aim: The objective of the study was to estimate the humoral immune
response in rabbits treated with Cucurbita maxima seeds.
Materials and
Methods: Thirty six male Newzealand White rabbits were divided into six
groups (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) of six in each. Group I was the untreated
control. Group II was treated with dexamethasone sodium (2 mg/Kg, i.m) for 7
days. Group III was treated with levamisole hydrochloride at 2.5 mg/kg (s.c)
thrice a week. Group IV was treated with Cucurbita maxima seeds. Group V was
treated with levamisole and dexamethasone and Group VI was treated with
dexamethasone and Cucurbita maxima seeds. The seed was given @ 1000 mg/kg orally
for 10 days. Antibody titre and serum immunoglobulin concentration were
estimated along with haematology.
Results: Dexamethasone caused
significant decreases in the antibody titre, immunoglobulin concentration where
as Curcurbita maxima, Dexamethasone + Curcurbita maxima and dexamethasone +
levamisole groups showed significant increase in these entities. There were no
significant differences in RBC count, Haemoglobin contents among all the groups
studied.
Conclusion: Results suggest that Cucurbita maxima seeds has the
ability to stimulate humoral immune response in rabbits.
Keywords:
Cucurbita maxima, dexamethasone, levamisole Hcl, rabbit
