Immune modulation potential and antiretroviral properties of Cassia occidentalis
Mukhtar M.D.
Department of Biological Sciences & Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry & Department of Human Physiology Bayero University, PMB 3011 Kano, Nigeria
Abstract:
The scourge of HIV/AIDs is a pandemic emerging disease that attracts the attention of all and sundry. Scientists in the area of drug research and development continue to face the challenge of developing a promising and effective drug for treating the menace. The claim by herbalists and other unsubstantiated evidences that Cassia occidentalis, a Savanna herb, offers cure for the syndrome was what prompted the current investigation. This is with a view to evaluating the immune boosting and antiretroviral potentials of the plant towards the development of safe, potent and efficacious anti HIV/AIDs drug. Extracts of roots, leaves and seeds were obtained by Soxhlet protocols for aqueous, ethanol, chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions. These were evaluated for immunostimulation in Swiss Albino mice at 50 to 100mg/kg. Positive control groups were administered 0.681mg/kg Levamisole, vehicle control with 0.5ml of 20% Tween 80 and 200mg/kg cyclophosphamide into another group as, negative control. Induction of haemagglutination by extracts was assayed. Subacute toxicity as expressed by behavioral and physiological abnormalities were tested. Other biochemical and haematological parameters were also determined. Antiretroviral assay was conducted using a concentration intertval of 1.25mg/ml up to 10mg/ml extracts in RPM1 1640 fortified with glutamate, while 193ug/ml of Nevilast-30 a standard antiretroviral drug in RPM1 1640 and culture media alone served as control. These were mixed with equal volume of HIV infected blood samples. The mean CD4+ count were taken after 24hrs of incubation at 37oC. Another CD4+ count was taken after mixing 50µl of the test extracts as well as that of the control in triplicate. Pet-ether and ethanol soluble fractions induced highest haemagghetination, an immune boosting effect with no abnormality in behavior and blood chemistry due to the extracts in the animals. These were coupled with a concentration dependent CD4+ increase for example 582 to 625 at 1.25mg/ml extract. The findings have provided an impetus for further biotechnological investigation towards the development of safe and efficacious antiretroviral agent worthy of use in HIV/AIDs therapy.
