Phytometabolite profiling and immunomodulatory potential of Aegle marmelos leaves in Concanavalin-A stimulated chicken splenocytes model system.

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa is reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory properties; however, its effects in chicken splenocytes remain insufficiently explored. This study employed an integrated approach combining phytochemical, elemental and gene-expression analyses employing metabolomic (Untargeted UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and GC-MS), ionomic (ICP-MS) and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) based gene-expression analyses to characterise Aegle marmelos aqueous leaf extract (AME) and investigate its immunomodulatory effects in Concanavalin-A stimulated chicken splenocytes. Metabolite profiling identified diverse bioactive compounds, while ICP-MS of Aegle marmelos leaf powder (AMLP) revealed several essential elements. Gene-expression analysis via qRT-PCR revealed upregulation of antioxidant and regulatory genes (Nrf-2, IL-10, NFAT-2) together with downregulation of inflammatory mediators including NF-κB1, IL-1β, IL-6. Dexamethasone, used as a reference immunosuppressive agent, similarly modulated the inflammatory gene-expression. Overall, the study provides transcriptional evidence supporting the potential of AME as a natural immunomodulator and highlights its relevance for developing plant-based strategies to regulate immune responses.