Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA217
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084215

Immunomodulatory activities of n-hexane and methanol extracts of Loranthus micranthus Linn. parasitic on Parkia biglobosa

PO Osadebe 1, EO Omeje 1
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Enugu, Nigeria

Loranthus micranthus, a species of mistletoe peculiar to the Eastern province of Nigeria has been shown to possess anti-diabetic, antimotility, antimicrobial and antihypertensive activities which are host-tree dependent [1–3]. The antimicrobial activity was found to vary with the season of harvest. We reported immune stimulating activity of extracts of mistletoe harvested from Kola acuminata [4]. In our efforts to establish the bio-activities and active principles in our local mistletoe, the immunomodulatory activity of the n-hexane and methanol extracts from Loranthus micranthus parasitic on Persea americana was assessed at three dose levels ranging from 100 to 400mg/kg body weight using delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR) and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression models in mice. This was compared with responses from a standard immunostimulatory drug, levamisole. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins and saponins. Regression analysis indicated a dose-dependent response relationship in the parameters measured with over 170% increase for both extracts at the highest dose level. The one way ANOVA test showed significant variation in the parameters between the controls and the different dose levels. However, at a 95% confidence level, (P<0.05), there was no statistically significant difference between the two extracts, an indication that the active immunomodulant(s) could be both in the polar and non-polar crude extract. Thus, these extracts from Loranthus micranthus possess pronounced immune stimulating action comparable to Levamisole in mouse-based models.

Acknowledgemnet: The authors acknowledge Mr. A. Ozioko of BDCP, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria for providing the plant material.

References: 1. Obatomi, et al. (1997) Med. Sci. Res, 25:651–654. 2. Osadebe, PO. et al. (2004) Bio. Research 2:18–23. 3. Osadebe, PO. et al. (2006) Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences 3: 263–268. 4. Omeje, EO. et al. (2008)J. Ethnopharmacol. In press