Immuno-Stimulatory and Haematopoietic Activities of the Leaf and Seed Aqueous Extract of Phyllanthus Amarus in Normal and Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice

Abstract

Among the Yoruba (South-West Nigeria), water decoction of the leaf and seeds of Phyllanthus Amarus (PA) Schum. and Thonn., is used as blood-forming remedy and immunobooster in immunocompromised patients particularly HIV/AIDS and tuberculous patients. In the present study, haematopoietic and immunomodulatory activities of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus, were investigated in normal and cyclophosphamide (CYCLO)-treated, young adult, male Swiss albino mice for 14 days. Results of the study showed PA to induce significant (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) elevation in packed cell volume (PCV) and total leucocytes count dose-dependently in normal and attenuated leucopaenia and anaemia in cyclophosphamide (CYCLO)-treated mice. The data, thus, generated in this study has a positive correlation with its folkloric use. In the near future, the plant may constitute a new source of haematopoietic and immunobooster drug.

Keywords: Phyllanthus Amarus, Leaf and Seed aqueous Extract, Immunostimulatory Activity, Mice

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 53-57