Abstract

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF CYTOTOXICITY AND CELL IMMUNITY OF A HERBO MINERAL CAPSULE, (FEMA SAKTHI™) TO COMBAT UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Radhakrishnan C., Sahila Joe, Shaleesha A. Stanley*, Amalan Stanley V. and Goswami G.

ABSTRACT

Fema Sakthi™ (FS), an herbal capsule, prepared based on the traditional knowledge system of medicine in India especially under the aegis of AYUSH is intended to cure Human Corona Virus, HCoV, with its unique ingredients. Ingredients of Fema Sakthi™ (FS) capsule include extracts of Hydrophila spinosa, Mucuna pruriens, Orchis mascula, Prunusa mygdalus, sulphide of mercury (Jathilingam), coral basma (pavala parpam) and pearl parpam (muthu parpam). A study was envisaged to evaluate the cell cytotoxicity and cell immunity (murine spleen lymphocyte proliferation assay). The cytotoxicity activity was performed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide or Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay to determine IC50 value and the cell proliferation assay was carried with FS extract in the presence and absence of 5 μg/mL of Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) which is a standard reference. Therefore, FS showing no adverse effects to healthy cell line could be further studied for possible anticancer activity and a novel antiviral agent to cure any upper respiratory infections.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity, Murine splenocytes, Human coronavirus, Immuno modulatory, Fema Sakthi™.