The Immunomodulating Activity of Derris scandens Benth. in Normal Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

This clinical trial was performed in 47 healthy volunteers primarily to investigate the safety of Derris
scandens Benth., as well as to assess preliminarily its effects on the immune system. The volunteers received
400 mg/day of D. scandens hydroalcoholic extract (200 mg b.i.d.) for two months. None of the subjects reported
any major side effects throughout the study. It was found that any significant changes in hematological
and biochemical parameters were within the normal limits. Nonetheless, there was significant rise in the
frequency of subjects showing increasing amounts of IL-2 and γ-IFN after administration. Our results suggested
that the hydroalcoholic extract of D. scandens at the dose of 400 mg/day given to normal volunteers for
two months was safe and could induce the secretion of cytokines that might help in modulating immune
responses.