Immunomodulatory Potentials of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Phyllantus amarus in Wistar Rats

Abstract  

The  immunomodulatory  effect  of  the  ethanolic  leaf  extract  of  Phyllantus  amarus  on  wistar  rats  was investigated. Twenty eight (28) male animals were used for the study. The animals were divided into four (4) groups of seven (7) animals each. Group 1 was the normal control and received distilled water, animals in group 2 were given low dose (7.1 mg/kgBW) of the extract, group 3 were given medial dose (14.1mg/kgBW) and group 4 were given high dose (28.3 mg/kgBW) of the extract. The treatment was administered twice daily for twenty eight (28) days  after  which  the  animals  were  sacrificed  and  blood  samples  used  for  analysis  where  obtained  via  cardiac puncture.  The  phytochemical  screening  of  the  plant  was  carried  out  and  results  shows  that  the  plant  contains flavonoids,  saponins,  alkaloids,  terpenes,  phenols,  steroids,  glycosides  and  tannin.  Results  reveal  that  the  group treated with low (102.41±7.41), medial (101.84±11.72) and high dose (100.94±30.47) recorded an elevated WBC value when  compared  with the control (83.20±11.30) at p<0.05 significant level. Similar  trend was observed for lymphocytes.  The  extract  recorded  no  effect  on  monocytes  and  eosinophils  counts.  More  so,  the  plants  extract lowers the CD4, T-cells and B-cells count at p<0.05 significant level compared with the control, suggesting that the extracts have anti-microbial properties to lower infections and hence the decreased values observed. Owing to this phytochemical constituents, it also suggests that the extract have the ability to suppress inflammatory diseases and auto-immune  diseases  occasioned  by  CD4.  Conclusively,  ethanolic  Phyllantus  amarus  leaf  extract  is  a  good immunomodulatory agent at recommended dose range of 7.1 to 28.3mg/kg. 

Keywords: Phyllantus amarus, immunomodulatory-agent, medicinal potentials