The immunomodulatory effects of chito-oligosaccharides derived from Alcaligenes faecalis chitinase on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice

This study explores the immunomodulatory effects of chito-oligosaccharides (COS) derived from Alcaligenes faecalis chitinase in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model in Swiss albino male mice. Mice received cyclophosphamide (80 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce immunosuppression, followed by oral administration of enzymatically derived COS (E-COS) and chemically synthesized COS (C-COS) at 20 mg/kg/day for 15 days. Both E-COS and C-COS significantly increased WBC (4.50 ± 0.71 and 5.37 ± 0.91) and RBC (5.80 ± 0.83 and 5.74 ± 0.86) counts compared to the cyclophosphamide group (1.43 ± 0.49 and 2.54 ± 0.76). Histopathological analysis showed thymic architecture restoration and reduced splenic lymphocyte apoptosis. Additionally, COS treatment elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and decreased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, glutathione). These findings suggest that COS possess immunomodulatory potential and may counteract cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression.