THE IMMUNOMODULATORY POTENTIALS OF EMBLICA OFFICINALIS FRUIT EXTRACT ON OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS

The immunomodulatory effect of E officinalis fruit, on the non-specific immune response of Oreochromis mossambicus, was investigated. The fish feed was modified by mixing 0.1gm of extract with 100gms of commercial feed at the following rate 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%. The experimental set up consisted of 15 fish per test dose. Simultaneously, set of control fishes were cultured by giving normal feed. Biochemical, haematological and immunological parameters were studied at termination of the practical i.e. 03 weeks and 06 weeks from commencement. Elevated level of total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count and haemoglobin content account for the high metabolic activity. An elevated level of serum glucose is an indication of better immunomodulatory expression. An increase of protein and glycogen content in various tissue and decrease of protein content in blood is also recorded. A dose dependent steady rise in the serum IgG level indicates the immunomodulatory effect of the treatments. IgG level is an index of nonspecific immune response in vertebrate.