An immunomodulator is used to repair the immune system and sometimes it is used as adjuvant therapy.
Averrhoa bilimbi is used for the treatment of cough, inflammation, fever and rheumatism. This study is
conducted to evaluate non-specific immune system effect of water extract of A.bilimbi leaves on the male
Swiss Webster mice. The extract of A.bilimbi leaves is made in boiled water. The extract is given per oral at
doses of 9.88, 19.77 and 39.54 mg/kg BW, Zymosan A 10 mg/kg BW (IP) and methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg BW
(IP) is used as a reference. Seven days after the extract is given, hematological profile, immunomodulatory
effect, the ratio of organ per body weight and histopathology of organs were evaluated.
The parameter of the hematological profile was leucocyte and it differentiated (lymphocyte, mid-sized
cell and granulocyte), erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet. The immunomodulatory effect
was tested using carbon clearance methods and the parameter was the phagocytic index. The result showed
that the extract increased leucocyte and it differentiated, erythrocyte and platelet compared to
control group. Phagocytic index (K) of the extract at dose 19.77 and 39.54 mg/kg BW was 1.30 and 1.12. The
extract at dose 39.54 mg/kg BW increased the ratio of organ liver, spleen and kidney. It can be concluded that
the water extract of A.bilimbi affected the non-specific immune system and is considered as an
immunostimulant agent.