In vivo and in vitro evaluation for immunomodulatory activity of three marine animal extracts with reference to phagocytosis.

The whole body ether extracts of a marine prawn Nematopaleamon tenuipes and two gastropods viz. Euchelus asper and Hemifusus pugilinus, obtained by Soxhlet extraction and cold percolation were tested for their effects on phagocytosis by in vitro (slide method) and by in vivo (carbon clearance) methods. Extract of E. asper exhibits immunostimulatory activity in vitro and immunosuppressant activity in vivo. The in vitro test for N. tenuipes and H. pugilinus shows biphasic activity, but the former shows immunostimulatory while the latter shows immunosuppresant activity in vivo test.