Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities of methanol extract of <i>Uvaria chamae</i> leaves in rats

Abstract

The immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of methanol extract air-dried, powdered leaves of methanol extract of Uvaria chamae (MEUL) was evaluated in this study using standard methods. Graded doses (50 mg/kg body weight, 100 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight) of the extract were administered to winster rats. The control group was given dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Immunomodulatory effect was assessed by delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and haemagglutination. Antimicrobial activity of the extract against some clinical bacteria isolates was also conducted. The phytochemicals, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, steroids and terpenoids were detected. The extract showed dose related increase in cellular immunomodulatory activity as assesed by inflammed foot pad of the experimental animals with mean diameter ranging from 2.60±0.95 to 4.90±1.04 mm as against the control group which was 1.30±0.14 mm, (p<0.05). There was significant increase in haemagglutinating antibody titre against sheep red blood cells which ranged from 272±21.27 to 1344±160.64 as against the control group which was 80±10.63 (p<0.01). The methanol extract of Uvaria chamae leaf showed inhibitory activity against the test bacteria isolates. This work indicated that methanol extract of Uvaria chamae leaf has potential immunostimulatory and antimicrobial activity.