Abstract
BackgroundThe leaves of Stachytarpheta cayennensis C. Rich. (Verbenaceae) have been reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory and anti-malarial activities. Due to close association between inflammatory and immune responses, we evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of leaves extract of S. cayennensis. The combined effects of the leaves extract and artesunate, a standard antimalarial agent with immunomodulatory effects, were also evaluated.MethodsThe immunomodulatory activity of the methanol extract of the leaves of S. cayennensis (MESC) was evaluated in mice using the Delayed-Type hypersensitivity response (DTHR), primary and secondary humoral immune responses and the in vivo leucocyte mobilization tests. The immunomodulatory effect of artesunate and the combined effects of MESC and artesunate were evaluated using the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Acute toxicity and lethality test in addition to the preliminary phytochemical studies of MESC were also performed.ResultsThe MESC exhibited 64.21% inhibition of DTHR at 500 mg/kg dose and evoked 139.64% of phagocytic stimulation at 100 μg/ml dose. Also MESC significantly (p < 0.05) showed dose related stimulation of humoral immunity and a highest percentage leucocyte mobilization of 10.15% at 250 mg/kg dose. Artesunate offered a non-significant (p > 0.05) percentage phagocytic stimulation (PPS) while the combined effect of artesunate and MESC exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent PPS with highest PPS of 393.77% at 100 μg/ml. The LD50 of the MESC was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg since there were no lethality and signs of acute intoxication after 48 h observation. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that MESC possesses immunostimulatory action with significant synergistic effects with artesunate, and can therefore, offer immune boosting activities in disorders of immune suppression.
Highlights
The present study investigated the immunomodulatory potentials of methanol extract of S. cayennensis (MESC)
Effect on phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes Artesunate at the doses tested exhibited non-significant (p > 0.05) phagocytic stimulation compared to the control (Figure 1)
In addition the combined doses of the MESC and artesunate exhibited the highest phagocytic index (PI) and percentage phagocytic stimulation compared to the effects of the separate doses, the control and the levamisole, a standard agent (Figures 1 & 2)
Summary
Due to close association between inflammatory and immune responses, we evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of leaves extract of S. cayennensis. The combined effects of the leaves extract and artesunate, a standard antimalarial agent with immunomodulatory effects, were evaluated. The human immune system consists of two categories of defense mechanisms; the innate (non-specific) and the adaptive (specific) systems. These two mechanisms could be modified by substances, such as drugs and plant constituents, to either enhance or suppress their ability to resist invasion by pathogens [1,2]. The concern about the safety and adverse effects of the conventional immunomodulatory synthetic drugs has led to a growing interest in identifying and characterizing natural compounds with immunomodulatory effects possessing low profile toxicity [3,4]
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