Immunomodulatory effects of oral administration of Aloe vera supplemented probiotic ice cream in mice

Abstract

Nutraceuticals possess immunomodulatory properties and generally act by stimulating both specific and non-specific immunity. Some of these stimulate both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, while others activate only the cellular components of the immune system. In the present investigation, immunomodulatory effects of Aloe vera supplemented probiotic ice cream (ASPIC) were evaluated in mice immunocompromised using cyclophosphamide. After 13 days of feeding period, percentage phagocytosis, lymphocyte proliferation index, IgA levels and lymphocyte count increased significantly (p<0.01) in mice groups fed with ASPIC when compared with the groups fed on control diet and control ice cream. Percent neutrophils, RBC count and haemoglobin levels also increased significantly (p<0.01) in ASPIC containing NCDC probiotic culture when compared with control diet. The results demonstrated that the bioactive components of Aloe vera and probiotics could withstand processing conditions and also showed that a combination of probiotic bacteria and Aloe vera can enhance the immunomodulatory potential as compared to control diet.