Immunomodulatory activity of methanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Background Globally, Moringa oleifera is used by different communities to treat various ailments including modulation of the immune system though with limited scientific evidence. Aim To study the immunomodulatory activity of M. oleifera methanolic leaf extract in Wistar albino rats. Methods An experimental laboratory-based study was done following standard methods and procedures. Nine experimental groups (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX) each comprising of six animals were used. Group I received normal saline. Groups II to IX received 200 mg/kg bwt cyclophosphamide at the beginning of the study. Group III received 50 mg/kg bwt of an immunostimulatory drug levamisole. Groups IV to IX were dosed daily for 14 days with extract at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bwt, respectively, using an intragastric tube. Complete blood count (CBC), delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTH), neutrophil adhesion test, and hemagglutination antibody titer were determined using standard methods and procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad prism 5.0a Software. Results There was an increment in WBC, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts at a dose of 1000 mg/kg bwt similar to the levamisole-positive control group. The neutrophil adhesion was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) for treatment groups that received 1000 mg/kg bwt (29.94%) and 500 mg/kg bwt at 17.28%. The mean percentage increment in footpad thickness was highest (26.9%) after 8 h of injection of antigen in the footpad of rats dosed 500 mg/kg bwt and this later reduced to 25.6% after 24 h. There was a dose-dependent increment in the mean hemagglutination antibody titer to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) from 10.73±0.57 HA units/μL for the 250 mg/kg bwt to 26.22±1.70 HA units/μL for the 1000 mg/kg bwt. Conclusions Methanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera caused a significant immunostimulatory effect on both the cell-mediated and humoral immune systems in the Wistar albino rats.

Biological, nutritional, and therapeutic significance of Moringa oleifera Lam

“…The hydroalcoholic extract of seeds additionally reduced the action of TNF‐α, IL‐4, IL‐6, and myeloperoxide, a cause of inflammatory bowel diseases (Minaiyan et al, ). Hydroalcoholic leaf extract enhanced the cellular and humoral immunity in immunosuppressed rodents (Nfambi, Bbosa, Sembajwe, Gakunga, & Kasolo, ). Methanol extract decreased the edematogenic impact of carrageenan‐ and histamine‐induced foot edema in laboratory animals (Adedapo, Falayi, & Oyagbemi, ) and also pain relieving impacts by reducing mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in Freund's adjuvant joint inflammation prompted rodents, whereas methanolic root decoction decreased thermal hyperalgesia (Manaheji, Jafari, Zaringhalam, Rezazadeh, & Taghizadfarid, ).…”

In-vitro Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Potential of Swarna Pushpa Rasa Chendhuram Using Murine Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cell Line Model

“…Currently, worldwide, there is an increase in diseases especially infectious diseases that requires efficient body defense mechanisms to control them through the process of immunomodulation. Malnutrition and infectious diseases have remained a challenge especially in developing nations as they greatly compromise the body's immune system responses in the affected individuals [17].…”

Untitled

“…The methanolic root extract of Withania somnifera shows immunostimulatory activities in dexamethasone induced immunocompromised mice and in vitro model 5 . The Methanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera shows an immunostimulatory effect on both the cell-mediated and humoral immune systems in the Wistar albino rats 6 . The methanolic leaf extracts of Cameroonian medicinal plants possess immunomodulatory activity 7 .The ethanolic extract of Sonerila tinnevelliensis showed a stimulatory effect on both humoral and cellular immune functions in animal models 8 .…”