Abstract:
Modul8® is a composite mixture of natural products that are known to be an immunomodulator. In the current
study the effect of this immunomodulator is tested on an experimental asthmatic BALB/c mouse model to investigate its properties on the
white blood cell count in the blood and bronchial lavage of the animals since white blood cells play a fundamental role in the inflammatory
process involved in asthma. As it is known that platelets also play an important role in the immune system, the ultrastructure of platelets
and fibrin networks were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The animals were sensitised, nebulized and treated over a
period of 43 days until termination. Results from the blood smears as well as the bronchial lavage smears revealed significantly higher
eosinophil counts in the asthmatic group compared to the control and treated groups. Changes in the ultrastructure of the platelets and
fibrin networks could also be observed, with the Modul8® -treated group appearing similar to that of the control group where thick major
and thin minor fibres could clearly be distinguished and a tight mass of platelet aggregate could be observed. Whereas the fibrin networks
from the asthmatic animals appeared flimsy with a tight mass of thin fibres covering the thick major fibres. The asthmatic platelet
aggregates appeared granular without the tight round appearance of the control platelet aggregates. It is therefore concluded that Modul8®
positively influences the white blood cell counts by altering the asthmatic profile to look similar to that of the control. Also, it seems as
if Modul8® has a stabilizing effect on the platelets and fibrin networks. From these results it can be suggested that Modul8® might
successfully be used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as asthma.
