Scientific Research on Maharishi Ayurveda

immunity > immunity study 5

Immunity Study #5

Title
Priming of Splenic Lymphocytes After Ingestion of an Ayurvedic Herbal Food Supplement [MAK-5]: Evidence for an Immunomodulatory Effect

Publication
Biochemical Archives, Vol. 6, pp. 267-274, 1990.

Authors
Kottarappat N. Dileepan,* Vimal Patel,** Hari M. Sharma,Ú and Daniel J. Stechschulte.*

Conducted at
**Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66103
**Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46223
Ú Department of Pathology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210

Summary
The in vivo immunomodulatory effects of an Ayurvedic food supplement (Maharishi Amrit Kalash Ambrosia, MAK-5) were studied in rats gavaged with this preparation at a dose of 50 mg/day for 10 or 20 days. After these regimens, mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage superoxide anion production, and phagocytosis were assayed. In vitro lymphoproliferative responses to various mitogens were markedly enhanced by MAK-5 ingestion. MAK-5-mediated increases in stimulation indices ranged from 32-88% for varying concentrations of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). MAK-5 treatment did not affect spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation. The lymphoproliferative response induced by MAK-5 ingestion was significant even in animals treated for 10 days and persisted for at least 15 days after discontinuation of MAK-5. Macrophage superoxide anion generation and phagocytosis were unaltered as a result of MAK-5 treatment. These data indicate that ingestion of this food supplement enhances lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens without affecting spontaneous proliferation.