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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Alkaloids | Research

Immunomodulatory effects of epiphytic Loranthus micranthus leaf extracts collected from two host plants: Psidium guajava and Parkia biglobosa

Authors: Ngozi Dorathy Idoko, Ifeoma Felicia Chukwuma, Florence Nkechi Nworah, Sopuruchukwu Elizabeth Mba, Parker Elijah Joshua, Okwesilieze Fred Chiletugo Nwodo, Wafaa Fouzi Abusudah, Najlaa Hamed Almohmadi, Michel de Waard

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Immunological abnormalities are implicated in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Due to the drug-related adverse effects of currently available orthodox immunomodulators, natural immunomodulators are being looked upon as potential agents to replace them in therapeutic regimens. This research aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory potential of L. micranthus extracts epiphytic on Psidium guajava (LMPGE) and Parkia biglobosa (LMPBE).

Methods

Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity testing were carried out to identify the phytoconstituents and safety profiles of the extracts. The extracts’ innate and adaptive immunomodulatory potentials were determined in experimental animals using in vivo leucocyte mobilization, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, hemagglutination antibody titre, and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression models. Levamisole was used as the standard drug throughout the study.

Results

Compared to LMPBE, LMPGE contained significantly (p <  0.05) more tannins, cyanogenic glycosides, saponins, reducing sugars, glycosides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Furthermore, the groups treated with the extracts had a significant (p <  0.05) increase in the total number of leucocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and antibody titers relative to the untreated control. In the same way, the treatment raised TLC in cyclophosphamide-intoxicated rats, with 250 mg/kg b. w. of LMPGE and LMPBE recording 9712.50 ± 178.00 and 8000.00 ± 105.00 ×  109 /L, respectively, compared to 3425.00 ± 2 5.00 × 109 /L in the untreated group. Overall, LMPGE was more effective.

Conclusions

The findings from this study suggest that L. micranthus epiphytic in Psidium guajava and Parkia biglobosa has possible immune stimulating potential.
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Metadata
Title
Immunomodulatory effects of epiphytic Loranthus micranthus leaf extracts collected from two host plants: Psidium guajava and Parkia biglobosa
Authors
Ngozi Dorathy Idoko
Ifeoma Felicia Chukwuma
Florence Nkechi Nworah
Sopuruchukwu Elizabeth Mba
Parker Elijah Joshua
Okwesilieze Fred Chiletugo Nwodo
Wafaa Fouzi Abusudah
Najlaa Hamed Almohmadi
Michel de Waard
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04282-4

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