|
|
Research Article
Immunomodulatory Effect of the Aqueous Extract of
Erigeron floribundus
(Kunth) Sch
Beep
(Asteraceae) Leaf in
Rabbits
FA Yapo*1, FH Yapi1,
H Ahiboh2, M-L Hauhouot-Attounbre2,
NZ Guédé3, JA Djaman1-4 and D
Monnet2
Laboratoire
de Pharmacodynamie-Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, 22 BP
582,
2Laboratoire
Biochimie et biologie moléculaire, UFR Sciences
Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, BP V 34,
3Laboratoire
de Botanique, UFR Biosciences, Université de
Cocody-Abidjan, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22,
4Département
de Biochimie Médicale et Fondamentale Institut Pasteur
de Cote d’Ivoire, 01 BP 490 Abidjan 01, Cote d’Ivoire
* For
correspondence:
E-mail:
fyapo@yahoo.fr
Tel: + 225 08 75 66 96
Received: 6 October
2010 Revised
accepted: 18 February 2010
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, April 2011; 10(2):
187-193
Abstract
Purpose:
The leaves of Erigeron floribundus (Kunth) Sch. Beep.
or (syn: Conyza sumatrensis (Retz)
E.K. Walker) (Asteraceae)
are used by some traditional healers in West Africa in
HIV/AIDS therapy.
The purpose of this study was to
assess the immune-boosting properties of the aqueous
leaf extract of Erigeron floribundus (Ef) by monitoring
blood markers of cellular immunity in rabbit.
Methods:
Two sets each of five groups (six rabbits per group)
were used in this study. The groups in the first set
each received
intraperitoneally a
single dose of Ef (25, 50, 75 or 100 mg/kg) or
0.9 % NaCl (control).
The groups in the second set received methylprednisolone
(15 mg/kg, MP15) and mixtures of MP15 with Ef (50, 75 or
100 mg/kg), MP15 or isoprinosine 50 mg/kg (Ip50,
reference standard). Whole blood was collected in EDTA
tubes from the marginal vein of the rabbit ear on Days
0, 3, 9, 15 and 21 after administration for the
determination of CD4+ count by flow cytometry, and also
of neutrophils and total lymphocytes in the blood.
Results:
Each plant extract dose tested
(50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) induced a significant increase in
neutrophils (p < 0.001), total lymphocytes and TCD4+ (p
< 0.0001) from the 3rd to 15th day after administration,
compared to control (0.9 % NaCl).
Furthermore, the same
test extract doses significantly reversed the
immunosuppressive effect of methylprednisolone (p <
0.001) to the same extent as isoprinosine.
Conclusion:
The aqueous extract of the leaves of Erigeron
floribundus stimulated the increase of neutrophils,
total lymphocytes and TCD4+ in rabbit blood and thus
provides some justification for its use in the
traditional treatment of AIDS.
Keywords:
Cellular immunity, CD4+
count, Isoprinosine, Erigeron floribundus,
Methylprednisolone; Rabbit. |
