Abstract
Commiphora swynnertonii is among the most commonly used medicinal plants by pastoralist communities especially in northern regions of Tanzania. The effect of resin from this plant on white blood cells (WBC) and haematopoietic organs was studied using albino mice. Sixty adult mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 15). G1 acted as control whereas G2, G3 and G4 received oral doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg resin per kg body weight, respectively for 35 days consecutively. Blood samples for differential and total WBC count were collected before treatment and on days 7, 14, 28 and 35 after treatment. Also, three mice from each group were humanely sacrificed before treatment, on day 14 and 35 after treatment. Sternum, liver and spleen samples from sacrificed mice were collected for assessment of any effects of the resin on haematopoietic organs. Results showed that mice in G2 and G4 had a significant increase (P < 0.05) in total WBC counts by day 7 as compared to the control group. This trend was then followed by a gradual decrease towards end of the experiment. No significant changes in total WBC counts were observed in G3 following treatment. The effect of C. swynnertonii resin on differential WBC count was non-specific and insignificant; G1 and G2 mice had their lymphocyte and monocyte counts slightly increasing with time while that of G3 and G4 decreased slightly or remained unchanged. Neutrophils counts decreased significantly in G1 and G2, but there were no significant changes for G3 and G4. Changes in the haematopoietic tissues following exposure to the resin included increased cellularity of sternal bone marrow as compared to spaces occupied by adipocytes. In particular, there were different developmental stages of granulocytes, erythroblasts and all megakaryocytic series. Small patches of erythropoietic series and lymphoblastic cells were observed in the liver and spleen respectively of the mice that received resin. It is concluded that oral administration of C. swynnertonii resin to mice caused a significant but transient increase in total white cell counts as a short-term effect. Prolonged exposure to the resin was associated with changes in the haematopoietic system such as increased cellularity of bone marrow and erythropoietic patches in liver and spleen. Key words: Commiphora swynnertonii, resin extract, WBC count, haematopoietic tissue, albino mice.
Highlights
The use of plants for treatment of various diseases affecting humans and animals is a common and popular practice in many developing countries (Idowu et al, 2009)
This study aimed at determining the effect of resin from C. swynnertonii on white blood cell count and haematopoietic organs in mice
An increase in total white blood cells (WBC) count was only observed in G2 and G4 and it was only significant (P
Summary
The use of plants for treatment of various diseases affecting humans and animals is a common and popular practice in many developing countries (Idowu et al, 2009). Bakari et al (2015) found that oral administration of the resin extract was associated with an increase in white blood cell (WBC) counts, monocytes and lymphocytes, in growing chickens, that is, immuno-potentiating effect. This observation is interesting because drugs or supplements with immunopotentiating effects are vital in patients or individuals with immune-compromising conditions such as acquired immune disease syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), cancers and many others. The effect of C. swynnertonii resin extracts on the immune system in animals has not yet been reported
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
