Immunomodulatory effects of turmeric: Proliferation of spleen cells in mice.

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of turmeric on spleen cell proliferation. Cell suspensions of spleen cells from young and aged mice were treated with or without conconavalin A (Con-A) as a proliferation stimulant, and with and without turmeric (20 mg/mL) in different concentrations. Spleen cells from young mice that received turmeric showed significant increase in spleen cell proliferation (P < 0.05), while spleen cells from aged mice that received turmeric showed no significant increase in T lymphocytes. The data indicates that turmeric increases the ability of spleen cells in young mice to proliferate, in vitro.