Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Chyawanprash, a traditional Ayurvedic Rasayana formulation, is reputed for its rejuvenating and immunomodulatory properties. Despite its widespread clinical use, preclinical evidence elucidating its mechanistic basis for immune enhancement remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory and infection-preventive efficacy of Chyawanprash using a Wistar rat model.
Methods: Forty-eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 each): Control (vehicle only), Low-dose (1 g/kg/day), Medium-dose (2 g/kg/day), and High-dose (4 g/kg/day) Chyawanprash. Treatments were administered orally for 30 days. Immune efficacy was assessed by analyzing hematological indices, antioxidant enzyme levels, cytokine profiles (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ), and serum immunoglobulins. On day 31, rats were challenged intraperitoneally with a sublethal dose of Escherichia coli (1×10⁷ CFU), and infection symptoms were monitored for 10 days.
Results: Chyawanprash administration produced a significant, dose-dependent enhancement in total and differential leukocyte counts, serum immunoglobulin levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, catalase, and GPx), with a concurrent reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.05). Cytokine analysis showed marked elevation of IL-2 and IFN-γ, indicating T-cell activation and macrophage stimulation. Following the E. coli challenge, the high-dose group demonstrated 40% fewer infection symptoms and zero mortality compared to controls. Histopathological analysis revealed increased lymphoid proliferation in the spleen and thymus of treated rats.
Conclusion: The findings confirm that Chyawanprash exerts potent immunostimulatory and antioxidant effects, enhancing systemic resistance to bacterial infection in rats. These results substantiate its classical Rasayana claim and support its potential as a safe natural immunonutrient for preventive health care.