Abstract

Rhaphidophora korthalsii methanol extract was previously found as a potential in vitro immunomodulating agent. In this study, the in vitro immunomodulatory activity of R. korthalsii methanol extract on mice splenocyte were quantified through evaluating T/NK cell population, cytokine expression (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and cytotoxicity against Yac-1 cell. In vitro MTT proliferation study showed that R. korthalsiimethanol extract stimulate significant proliferation of splenocyte, thymocyte and bone marrow cell at 25 μg/ml after 72 h incubation as compared to rIL-2. Besides, 25 μg/ml of extract also enhanced T-helper 1 cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-γ) secretion, natural killer cell (NK1.1⁺CD3^-) population and cytotoxicity against natural killer sensitive Yac-1 leukemic cell line. It was concluded that R. korthalsii methanol extract is a potential immunomodulator agent that could activate the natural killer cell. 

Key words: Immunomodulation, in vitro, Rhaphidophora korthalsii, cytotoxicity.