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Toxicity And Immunomodulatory Activity Of Fractions Of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> Linn (Family Malvaceae) In Animal Models


T Fakaye

Abstract



This study evaluated immunomodulatory properties and the sub-acute toxicity profile of two fractions of the aqueous alcoholic extract of the dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa in experimental animals. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated using red blood cell-induced immunostimulation. The fractions were not found to be toxic after 7-day administration, though there was severe weight loss with the residual water-soluble fraction (RWSF) and weight gain with the ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EAC). The EAC exhibited a significant dose-dependent immunostimulation (p<0.05) higher than that observed for levamisole (positive control). The residual water-soluble fraction exhibited immunostimulatory activity at 100mg/kg body weight. The two fractions caused a significant reduction in production of tissue necrosis factor – alpha and an increase
in interleukin 10 (IL-10).

Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, plant extract and fractions, sub-acute toxicity, immuno-modulatory activity, cytokine production

African Journal of Trad, Comp and Alternative Medicine Vol. 5 (4) 2008: pp. 394-398

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eISSN: 0189-6016