Anti-immunosuppressive Effects of Chromolaena odorata (Lf.) King & Robinson (Asteraceae) Leaf Extract in Cyclophosphamide-injected Balb/C Mice
Leonora P. Nudo1,3 and Elena S. Catap, Ph.D.1,2*
1Natural Sciences Research Institute,
University of the Philippines,Diliman, Quezon City
2Institute of Biology, College of Sciences, University of the Philippines,
Diliman, Quezon City
3Department of Science, School of Sciences and Engineering,
University of Asia and the Pacific, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Chromolaena odorata (Lf.) King & Robinson leaf extract was evaluated for its immunomodulating activity in Balb/C mice by employing a number of immune response assays namely macrophage phagocytic activity, splenocyte proliferation, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and plasma lysozyme levels. The optimum concentration of C. odorata was determined to be 100 µg/mL through in vitro assays. Subsequently, three (3) groups of 12 mice each were used in in vivo experiments, namely: (1) cyclophosphamide-induced (30mg/kg body weight) immunosuppressed mice (Cy- injected or positive control); (2) C. odorata extract + Cy-treated mice (C group); and (3) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-injected mice as the negative control group. When compared with PBS-treated mice, the Cy-treated mice showed significantly lower phagocytic activity, cellular proliferation, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and plasma lysozyme levels. Significant improvement in macrophage phagocytic activity and cellular proliferation was exhibited by the plant extract-treated mice when compared with Cy-injected mice only. The extract from C. odorata also improved superoxide production and plasma lysozyme activity compared with the Cy-injected mice. These results demonstrated the immunopotentiating activities of the C. odorata leaf extract on the innate immunity of Balb/C mice. Also, the extract could potentially reverse a drug-induced immunosuppression as confirmed through in vivo experiments. Indeed, there is a great potential of the plant to be utilized as source of biologically active products and metabolites for drug development.
INTRODUCTION
Immunomodulation through stimulation or suppression may help in maintaining disease-free state (Ghule et al. 2006). Herbal medicine has become an integral part of standard healthcare, based on a combination of time-honoured traditional usage and ongoing scientific research (Tiwari et al. 2004). Since the ancient systems of medicine, plants have been extensively used as a source of medicine to promote health and to maintain the body’s resistance against infection by potentiating immunity, re-establishing body equilibrium and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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