ABSTRACT

 Many disorders today fi ix J. c Many disorders today are based on the imbalances of the immunological processes. This necessitates the search for newer and safer immunomodulators. Thus, the objective of this present study was to explore the immunomodulatory activity of the methanol leaf extract of Alslonia boonei. The effect of the plant extract On CD4+ count. C-reactive protein and cytokine (interleukin-10) expression were measured in Wistar rats. Twelve (12) Wistar rats were used for this studv and were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=4), after which they were acclimatized for a period oftwo weeks. The normal control served as group 1 and received only feed and water ad libitum. Group 2 (standard drug group) received standard drug (Immunace) while group 3 received the plant extract at 400 mg/kg body weight. Extraction of the plant was carried out by soaking grinded leaves of A. boonei in methanol for 72 hours followed by filtration and concentration of filtrate in a beaker using a w'ater bath. The extract and the standard drug were then administered to the animals according to their body weight. This administration lasted for a period of three (3) w eeks after which blood was collected through cardiac puncture and used for immunological tests for CD4+ count, C-reactive protein and interleukin-10. Results obtained hows that there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in interleukin-10 for the plant extract treated group (181.53+4.29) compared to the normal control (168.45+4.95) and the standard drug group (145.33+4.13).CD4 count shows a non significant (p<0.05) increase in the plant extract treated group (14.50+1.29) when compared to the normal (13.75+1.71) and standard drug group (12.50+0.58). CRP value also show's a non significant increase for the plant extract group (1. (p<0.05) 02+0.89) when compared to the normal (0.97+0.15) and standard drug group (0.84+0.14). The results demonstrated that the methanoli leaf extract of A. boonei has immunosuppresive effect which is shown by the increase in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppresive cytokine (IL-10) expression.