Research background: Polysaccharides isolated from plants, fungi and bacteria are associated with immunomodulatory effects. Chickpea hull, which is regarded as food industrial waste, contains considerable amount of antioxidants and bioactive compounds.
Experimental approach: In the present study, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides from kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) hull (CHPS). In vitro study was conducted with RAW264.7 cell line while in vivo study was carried out using specific pathogen-free BALB/c mouse animal model.
Results and discussion: In in vitro test with RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells, the three purified fractions of chickpea hull polysaccharides showed potent immunomodulatory activity. Sample CHPS-3 showed stronger effect on cell viability, promoted the phagocytosis index to a greater extent and had the best effect on acid phosphatase activity. Moreover, it was found that CHPS-3 significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the secretion of nitrogen monoxide and cytokine (interleukins IL-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) levels. In in vivo study, CHPS-3 improved thymus and spleen indices in cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficient mice. Increased activities of lysozyme, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, serum haemolysin content and total antioxidant capacity were observed, while the amount of malondialdehyde in the liver decreased.
Novelty and scientific contribution: The results suggest that chickpea hull polysaccharides enhanced the immune activity and could be developed as the ingredient of functional foods.
Keywords: Cicer arietinum L. hull; functional food; immunomodulatory activity; in vitro and in vivo activity; polysaccharide fractions.