Immunopharmacological screening of aqueous root extract of Santalum album

Introduction: In order to scrutinize the anti-microbial and anti-inf lammatory agents, manyresearch groups have focused their works on the field of immunopharmacology. Thus, the currentstudy aimed to evaluate the immunopharmacological activity of aqueous root extract of Santalumalbum against Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) on humanperipheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: Variable doses of aqueous root extract of Santalum album (۰.۵-۳۰ mg/ml, ۵۰ µl) were prepared using phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and tested for proliferation assay, nitric oxideproduction and CD۱۴ monocyte surface marker using flow cytometry.Results: Aqueous root extract of Santalum album inhibited proliferation, nitric oxide productionand CD۱۴ monocyte surface marker at higher doses.Conclusion: Aqueous root extract of Santalum album possesses both anti-inf lammatory as well asantiviral activities and might be used for these purposes.