Immunomodulatory activity of naturally occurring monoterpenes carvone, limonene, and perillic acid.

The immunomodulatory activity of some naturally occurring monoterpenes were studied in Balb/c mice. Administration of various monoterpenes such as carvone (100 micromoles/Kg body wt/dose/animal), limonene (100 micromoles/Kg body wt/dose/animal) and perillic acid (50 micromoles/Kg body wt/dose/animal) were found to increase the total white blood cells (WBC) count in Balb/c mice. The maximum total WBC count in carvone treated animals was observed on the 12th day (16,560 cells/cmm) while in limonene (13,783 cells/cmm) and perillic acid (14,437 cells/cmm) treated animals the maximum count was observed on the 9th day after the drug treatment. Administration of terpenoids increased the total antibody production, antibody producing cells in spleen, bone marrow cellularity and alpha-esterase positive cells significantly compared to the normal animals indicating its potentiating effect on the immune system.