The Effect of Thaumatococcus danielli Leaf Extracts on Immunological and Oxidative Stress Markers in Rat

This work demonstrated the immunological and antioxidant activities of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf extracts and their potential as the pharmaceutical factor for the treatment of some pathological disorders such as cancer, leucopenia, cells inflammation, dietary, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disease and other immunological and oxidative stress disorders.36 albino rats of average weight 140 ± 5 g were randomly grouped into 6 with six rats per group. The rats in group A (positive control) received only 0.1% DMSO. The rats in the negative control (group B) received pyrogallol (immunosuppressor) + 0.1% DMSO for 7 days and challenged with 0.1ml Sheep Red Blood Cell (SRBC). The test groups (C to F) also received pyrogallol + 0.1% DMSO for 7 days and were also challenged with SRBC for a period of 72hours after which they were treated with High and Low doses of either petroleum ether or water extracts of Thaumatococcus danielii for 21days. The assessment of immunomodulatory activity was carried out using Carbon Clearance Test. Haematological/ immunological parameters, Spleen and Plasma antioxidant parameters like Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) Activities, Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) and Malonaldehyde (MDA) concentrations were also determined. Result unveiled a significant (p<0.05) increase in the phagocytic index of both high doses of water and petroleum ether extracts compared to the negative control group. There were no significant (p<0.05) changes in the Heamatological parameters and plasma catalase, but there was a significant change in the white blood cell (WBC) count and also an improvement in the spleen and plasma antioxidant parameters. Further study is required to understand the mechanism of action of both extracts in order to exploit it in immunomodulation.