The aqueous extract of Leptadenia Pyrotechnica Decne enhances the innate immune response and inhibits the acquired immune response, while the aqueous extract of Capparis Cartilaginea Decne does the exact opposite in Healthy Rats

Abstract

Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne. (LP) and Capparis cartilaginea Decne. (CC) are plants used in local folk medicine, although there are no published studies on their physiological, hematological, and immune system effects. This study is the first to determine and compare the effects of aqueous LP and CC extracts on body weight parameters, consumptions of feed and water, and the differential complete blood counts in blood samples of healthy Wister albino rats. Six groups of rats (3 rats/group) were orally gavage separately with the aqueous extracts of LP (groups LP1, LP2, and LP3, respectively) and CC (groups CC1, CC2, and CC3, respectively) at concentrations of 30, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight, while three control rats were gavage with water, daily for two weeks. Body weights were measured daily. The mean total body weights were not significantly different between all groups, between the experimental groups and the control group, and between the equal concentrations of LP and CC groups. The mean total and daily body weight gains and percent relative total body weight gain for the LP3 group were significantly lower compared with the control group. The mean feed and water intakes were highly significantly lower for the LP2, LP3, CC2, and CC3 groups compared with the control group, and for the LP3 group it was significantly lower compared with the CC3 group. The FER for the LP3 group was significantly lower compared with the control group. The mean lymphocyte percent for CC1 was significantly higher and the mean lymphocyte count for LP1 was significantly lower compared with the control. The mean neutrophil percent for LP1 was significantly higher than for CC1 and the mean lymphocyte percents for LP1 and LP2 were significantly lower than for CC1 and CC2. In conclusion, the LP extract enhances the innate immune response and inhibits the acquired immune response, while the CC extract does the exact opposite. Thus, the extract may be used for modulating the immune response.