Immunomodulatory effect of Artemisia vulgaris L. ethanol extract and its marker compound on antibody and cytokine release in non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed rats

Artemisia vulgaris L., a medicinal herb from Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, has been traditionally utilized for treating diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the immunomodulatory effects of Artemisia vulgaris L. extract on rats. The effects were assessed by measuring the total and differential leukocyte count, as well as Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and Immunoglobulins G (IgG) production. The rats were divided into two groups: non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed rats. Both groups received the extract daily from day 1 to day 14. On day 4, all rats were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, while the immunosuppressed group also received cyclophosphamide (70 mg/kg body weight/BW) on days 8 and 13. The extract given at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg as well as quercetin as a marker compound, increased the total and differential leukocyte count in both non-immunosuppressed and immunosuppressed rats. The highest dose of 400 mg/kg BW showed the greatest effects, with increased activity in lymphocytes (25.66±0.15), neutrophils (49.76±0.03), basophils (2.32±0.07), eosinophils (1.35±0.10), and monocytes (2.69±0.15) in non-immunosuppressed rats. In the immunosuppressed rats, the same dose led to increases in lymphocytes (24.18±0.05), neutrophils (43.14±0.02), basophils (2.32±0.07), eosinophils (2.14±0.04), and monocytes (2.11±0.06). Additionally, the levels of IL-2 and IgG were higher in both groups treated with the extract and quercetin as compared to those of the negative control. The extract at the dose of 400 mg/kgBW and quercetin demonstrated stronger immunostimulatory effects than levamisole. The study concluded that Artemisia vulgaris L. exhibits immunomodulatory activity, acting as an immunostimulatory agent. with potential for development as a therapeutic treatment.