IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM Vernonia amygdalina

Abstract

Background: Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter-leaf, is widely consumed in many parts of Africa, and Nigeria, in particular. The leaf extract has been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-helminthic, as well as prebiotic properties, but its immuno-modulatory effects have not been well-studied, neither have the prebiotics been identified. This study evaluated the immuno-modulatory properties of the aqueous leaf extract and identified the prebiotic components. Methods: The immuno-modulatory potential was evaluated by monitoring the effects of oral administration of the extract on immunological, haematological and lipid profiles of Rattus norvegicus, while the prebiotic components were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC), following liquid-liquid fractionation of the extract. Results: Consumption of the extract caused significant increases in CD4 + -, white blood cell-, total lymphocyte-and high density lipid (HDL) counts; decreases in low density lipid (LDL) and triglycerides and no significant effect on haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in the blood of test animals. The water-soluble fraction of the extract contained most of the phytoconstituents of the extract and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the fraction revealed the presence of fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics. Conclusion:The results from this study have shown that the aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina has positive immune-modulatory and haematologic effects and contains some important prebiotic compounds.

Medicinal Plants in COVID-19: Potential and Limitations

“…The potential of N. sativa to modulate B cell-mediated immune response while balancing Th1/Th2 ratio to potentiate T cells-mediated immune response merits further investigation. This activity can be explored as an adjunct to potential vaccine candidates to mediate meaningful and sustained immune response post vaccination (Petrovsky, 2006), which is one of the main challenges with current (Koley and Lal, 1994;Talwar et al, 1995;Talwar et al, 1997;Badary et al, 1998;Hore et al, 1999;Salem and Hossain, 2000;Petrovsky, 2006;Bamosa et al, 2010;Datau et al, 2010;Iyyadurai et al, 2010;Momoh et al, 2010;Salem et al, 2011;Schumacher et al, 2011;Venugopalan et al, 2011;Aljindil, 2012;Choudhary et al, 2012;Momoh et al, 2012;Abdel-Moneim et al, 2013;Li et al, 2013;Mishra and Dave, 2013;Saalu et al, 2013;Adedapo et al, 2014;Nabukenya et al, 2014;Tran et al, 2014;Ulasli et al, 2014;Yee et al, 2014;Gholamnezhad et al, 2015;Majdalawieh and Fayyad, 2015;Ashfaq et al, 2016;George et al, 2016;Im et al, 2016;Omoregie and Pal, 2016;Rehman et al, 2016;Zakaria et al, 2016;Onasanwo et al, 2017;Salem et al, 2017;Tavakkoli et al, 2017;Asante et al, 2019;…”

“…This plant was reported to be traditionally used to relieve fever, diarrhoea, cough, and headache ( Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA, 2004 ). Aqueous extracts of G. amygdalinum showed positive effects in enhancing immune response by increasing the levels of white blood cells and CD4 + ( Momoh et al, 2010 ; Momoh et al, 2012 ; Im et al, 2016 ). With the capability to increase the CD4 + cell counts, this extract was reported to be adjuvant to antiretroviral therapy in HIV positive patients ( Momoh et al, 2012 ).…”

Phytochemical screening and investigation on the antibacterial activity of fermented noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit juice extracts on selected microorganisms in Makurdi Metropolis

“…They increase the body's resistance to disease, retard or ease the process of Natural ageing. These compounds are responsible for a green therapeutic effect and they frequently serve as model for the synthesis of new medicine [37].…”

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“…Continued research on the pharmacological activity of Vernonia amygdalin has demonstrated its immunomodulatory activity in improving the level CD4 counts in both man and animals. Ezeonu et al 20 analyzed the leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalin for its immunological effect in rats and reported a remarkable effect on CD4 count, haematological parameters and lipid profile. Also, Olubumi et al 21 evaluated concoctions containing ten medicinal plants including bitter leaf with potential antidiabetic activity for the presence of toxic elements.…”