Immunostimulant Studies of NK Cells, CD8+ T Cells and Perforin From Ethanol Extract of Elephantopus scaber Linn. Leaf

Elephantopus scaber Linn , traditionally, boosts the immune system, highlighting its potential for scientific investigation. This study aims to determine the effect of E. scaber leaf extract on NK cells, CD8+ T cells and perforin in male white mice using three different doses (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg bw). A total of 25 experimental animals were divided into five groups and treated with E. scaber leaf extract for seven days after being stimulated by the SARS-Cov-2 virus antigen (inavac®). On day eight, the animals were then analyzed. The results of NK cells evaluation from negative control, positive control, and extract with concentrations of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg bw were 18.68, 20.66, 22.08, 21.14, and 21.87 ng/ml. The results of CD8+ T cells were 21.33, 26.95, 24.53, 33.85, and 24.87 ng/ml. Meanwhile, the perforin concentrations were 26.14, 30.28, 24.27, 33.09, and 26.38 ng/ml. Duncan’s analysis was performed after a one-way ANOVA to evaluate the data. At an extract dose of 30 mg/kg bw, the test results showed that the concentration of CD8+ T cells significantly increased (**p < 0.01; *p < 0.05), and the concentration of perforin increased, although insignificantly. On the other hand, the concentration of NK cells increased most at a dose of 10 mg/kg bw. These findings conclude that the leaf extract of E. scaber showed immunostimulant activity.