Immunall is a hydro-alcoholic herbal product, which containing several herbs improving vitality and functioning of the immune system. The product has to be mixed with the drinking water or top dressed on feed in a relatively low concentration, increasing the activity, viability and productivity of various species of animals whereas susceptibility for disease decreases.

In the herbal composition of Immunall it is recognized the physical health and immune functions are closely related to mental well-being. Therefore immune stimulating and purifying herbs have been combined with the adaptogenic plant Russian Ginseng (Eleuterococcus scenticosus), increasing resistance to mental and physical stress.

In the past 5 years a lot of research has been conducted at the Agricultural University in the Netherlands (Wageningen) to prove the immune stimulating activity of Immunall.
One of the major defence mechanisms of the body is the production of antibodies to foreign invaders or substances. Antibodies are produced by plasma cells. There are several classes of antibodies and certain classes need the help of specialized lymphocytes, named T-cells.
In immunologic studies the T-cell dependent production of antibodies is well known to the antigen DNP-KLH (dinitrophenyl-linked keyhole limpet hemocyanin). In order to get an impression of the potency of hydro-alcoholic extracts of herbs in stimulating the antibody production, a precursor of Immunall was tested in 1999 in layer hens subcutaneously immunized with DNP-KLH.
The herbal product was administered to drinking water in a concentration of 200 ppm. Antibody titres in the blood samples were determined by extinctions at 450 nm in the two step Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Some results are shown in table 1 and 2.

Table 1
Effect of the herbal product on antibody titres to KLH

Table 2
Effect of the herbal product on antibody titres to DNP

These preliminary experiments demonstrated a significant improvement in the primary antibody response to KLH as well as DNP if the Immunall precursor has been added to the drinking water.

Proliferation of activated immune cells precedes an immune response (like antibody production). Hence the proliferative response of lymphocytes to an antigen can be considered as a first indication for immune responsiveness.
This response can be tested in vitro by the Lymphocyte Stimulation Test (LST).
In such a test peripheral white blood cells are isolated from the blood and cultivated in wells. The cell-cultures contain different types of immunological active cells including T-cells. In order to test the susceptibility of T-cells for herbs, Immunall was added to the culture medium with or without the presence of the T-cell activating compound Con A (concanavalin A).

In separate cell cultures blood derived from chickens, calves or piglets was tested. This test was also done in 1999. The results indicate that Immunall strongly enhances the proliferative response of T-cells to Con A. Table 3 is an example of some results of the lymphocyte stimulation test.

Table 3
Effects of non-dialysed herbal product on mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation (as detected by 3H-thymidine-uptake)

It was concluded that in cell cultures the tincture enhances the proliferative responses of activated T-cells in different species of animals.

In the veterinary practice it is is noticed that in infectious conditions Immunall is very effective as prophylacticum if the animal is still in the initial stadium of infection.

Clinical symptoms are often not noticed, while blood parameters indicate to an inflammatory process. A well developed first line defence with highly activated macrophages often limits the infection and the accompanying symptoms. It was hypothesized that Immunall also strengthens the first line defence by stimulating the macrophagic activity.

In 2001 an in vitro test was performed with macrophages from cell cultures of peripheral blood of chickens. The phagocytes only showed a slight increase in metabolic activity (NaNO2-production as measured in ELISA at 540 nm) if they were incubated with bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during 48 hours. However in the presence of Immunall macrophages almost double the NaNO2-production in both the LPS treated cultures and the untreated cultures. Some of the experimental results are given in table 4.

Table 4
Effects of Immunall and LPS on in vitro activated macrophages from peripheral blood samples of chickens (as detected by NaNO2-production)

It was concluded that Immunall has a remarkable stimulating influence on macrophages. The presence of antigen is not necessary for this activation.

These experiments support the hypothesis that Immunall strengthens the animal’s defence at several levels.
The first line defence is probably strengthened by the enhanced activity of macrophages which in return causes a more effective attack on invading micro organisms and returns intensive antigen presentation.
More specific immune mechanisms like antibody production will be enhanced, not only by macrophages but also by a direct positive influence of Immunall on the number of T-helper cells.
The onset and maximum level of protection by antibodies will be reached sooner. Hence it can be expected that infections will be eliminated in a more effective way without causing serious damage and clinical symptoms.

Current research will be focussed on Natural Killer cells, being an important defence mechanism in eliminating micro organisms. Pilot studies indicate the herbal components of Immunall also increase the NK cell activity of chickens in vitro.