Immunomodulation of cyproheptadine hydrochloride on albino mice blood lymphocytes

Background: Cyproheptadine hydrochloride (HCl) is antihistaminic drug which used widely in our country as an appetizer and for weight gain especially for low weight children. Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the effects of cyproheptadine HCl on blood picture including white blood cells count, lymphocytes count, and its effect on the level of different cytokines. Materials And Methods: This is an experimental study conducted at Biotechnology Research Center Laboratory in Alnahrain University from November 2016 to April 2017. It included five groups of albino male mice, these groups were treated separately with four doses of the cyproheptadine drug and fifth as control group; the doses were selected according to the British National Formulary (BNF) 2010 calculated on the base of mice/human deference's in body weight: These are (0.065, 0.092, 0.120, 0.24) mg/mice/day, respectively, with fifth untreated mice group considered as control. Results: The untreated mice (control) lymphocyte count was (4000) cell/ml and the total lymphocytes count increased up to (7014) cell/ml than the normal leading changes in interleukins (ILs) level in different manner, such as decreasing in both IL-6 and IL-10 levels with increasing in IL-12 level and no change in IL-4 level. Conclusion: The current study showed that cyproheptadine HCl may have unwanted side effects, and its abuse may lead to disturbances in white blood cell especially lymphocyte which in turn will affect the immunity of persons taking it, especially in children, since the immune system modulates ILs secretion to face the irritability of drug behavior, that will lead abnormalities in human immune system.