J Med Assoc Thai Vol. 95 Suppl. 2 2012 S75 Correspondence to: Wongkajornsilp A, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Phone: 0-2419-8573, Fax: 0-419-7567 E-mail: siawj@mahidol.ac.th The Phyllanthus emblica L. Infusion Carries Immunostimulatory Activity in a Mouse Model Sukit Huabprasert BA*, Kanda Kasetsinsombat MSc*, Kaew Kangsadalampai PhD***, Adisak Wongkajornsilp MD, PhD*, Pravit Akarasereenont MD, PhD*,**, Uraiwan Panich MD, PhD*, Tawee Laohapand MD** * Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Background: Phyllanthus emblica L. (Indian gooseberry, Ma khaam pom) has been an herbal component of Thai traditional recipes proposed to slow down the aging process. A number of methodologies have been employed to investigate the immunological aspects of the so called “anti-aging effects” of P. emblica in a BALB/c mice model. Objective: 1) To investigate the immunological efficacy of the anti-aging effects of P. emblica infusion in a BALB/c mice model. 2) To verify the safety for the consumption of P. emblica infusion in BALB/c mice. Material and Method: For in vitro studies, splenocytes were isolated from mice and examined in comparison with the human umbilical endothelial cells, fibroblasts and YAC-1 (mouse lymphoma) cells for proliferative activity upon the exposure to P. emblica infusion. For in vivo studies, mice were orally administered with P. emblica infusion at a dose range of 0, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg BW for 14 days. After the treatments, splenocytes isolated from these mice examined for proliferative and NK cell activities. Results: For in vitro studies, the infusion of P. emblica could directly drive the proliferation of mouse splenocytes in a dose- dependent manner. The P. emblica infusion itself was already cytotoxic to YAC-1 in the studied dose, while sparing the human umbilical endothelial cells and fibroblasts. For in vivo studies, splenocytes isolated from these mice exhibited dose-dependent proliferative activities. Only the isolated splenocytes from mice ingesting 100 mg/kg BW exhibited an enhancement in NK cell activity. Conclusion: P. emblica infusion could drive proliferative activity of splenocyte in vitro and in vivo, with an enhancement in the NK cell-induced cytotoxic activity. The infusion in the aforementioned dose was safe throughout the study. Keywords: Phyllanthus emblica, Splenocyte, Immunostimulation J Med Assoc Thai 2012; 95 (Suppl. 2): S75-S82 Full text. e-Journal: http://www.jmat.mat.or.th Health concern has been shifting toward improving conditions of longevity. Medicinal plants and herbal recipes that have been traditionally prescribed for longevity might already provide the solution. However, the components of the so called “longevity” have not been clearly defined. None of the medicinal plants/ herbal recipes has been scientifically confirmed for longevity. The authors postulated that the immunomodulatory activity is a major component of longevity and chose Phyllanthus emblica as a candidate for this test based on its traditional prescription. P. emblica Linn. (Indian gooseberry, Ma khaam pom) is a plant in the family of Euphorbiaceae indigenous in Thailand and has been known as a rich source of vitamin C. Existing published data have reported its diverse therapeutic effects including antimicrobial (1) , analgesic/antipyretic (2) , anti- inflammation (2,3) , antioxidant (4-7) , antimutagenic (8) and anticancer (9) . The anticancer activity of P. emblica has been demonstrated (9-11) . P. emblica extract inhibited the proliferation of a variety of tumor cell lines in vitro such as L929 cells (9) , human leukemic (HK63) cells (8) , MDA-MB-231 cells (12) , Hela cells (12) , MCF-7 (11) . The