# Immunoregulatory effects of Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) B.L.Burtt & A.W.Hill fruit extract in mice with insights on in vitro mechanism

## TL;DR

This study shows that Lapsi fruit extract can boost immunity and reduce inflammation in mice, suggesting it may be useful as an immunomodulatory agent.

## Contribution

The study is the first to demonstrate the immunoregulatory effects of Lapsi fruit extract in vivo and in vitro, including its impact on immune suppression and inflammation.

## Key findings

- Lapsi extract increased IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and reduced IgE and IgG1 levels in mice.
- The extract reversed cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression by enhancing immune cell counts and cytokine levels.
- In cell cultures, the extract reduced inflammation markers like nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

## Abstract

Lapsi (Choerospondias axillaris), a plant native to Nepal, has been traditionally used in Asian countries to treat cardiovascular conditions. However, its effects on immune regulatory function remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to in vivo evaluate the immunoregulatory properties of Lapsi fruit extract in mice on immunotoxic responses with analysis on in vitro mechanism for immune suppression, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response. Male Balb/c mice were intragastrically administered various doses of the extract for 21 days. In some mice, immune suppression was induced with cyclophosphamide, and subsequent immune recovery was assessed. In addition, RAW264.7 cells and THP-1-derived macrophages were treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide and different concentrations of the extract.

Administration of extract increased the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio while reducing serum IgE and IgG1 level compared with control mice. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-17 levels were lower in splenic culture supernatants of mice administered extract. Lapsi extract also effectively reversed cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppression by enhancing serum levels of IgA and IgG2a, of interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 secreted by splenic T cells, and of IgG1 and IgG2a secreted by B cells, as well as by increasing immune cell counts. In cell cultures, the extract decreased the levels of inflammation markers, including nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, prostaglandin E2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β). Mechanistic analysis showed that Lapsi extract modulated the NF-κB p65, MAPK, and inflammasome pathways.

Lapsi extract may act as both an immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory agent, indicating its potential as a candidate immunomodulatory activity under polyclonal and CP-suppressed conditions; however, further disease-specific studies, along with isolation and characterization of active phytochemicals, are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic applicability.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42826-026-00267-9.