Reversibility Capacity of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaf on Cyclophosphamide Induced Immunotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapeutic alkylating drug currently used in combination with other protective agents for the purpose of reducing the adverse toxic effects. Increasingly, plants have become sources of therapeutics that can help to restore host immunity to normal.

Aim: In this study, reversibility capacity of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in male wistar rats was investigated.

Methods: Twenty five (25) wistar rats weighing 120 – 200g were used, which were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group I served as normal control and received water and normal feed. Group II served as standard control and received 30mg/kg cyclophosphamide (a potent immunosuppressant) only. Groups III-V served as test groups and were administered with 125mg/kg bw extract +30mg/kg bw CPM, 250mg/kg bw extract +30mg/kg bw CPM and 500mg/kg bw extract +30mg/kg bw CPM respectively po once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture and transferred into ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid bottles for analyses of hematological parameters such as: Total white blood cell counts and Differential and Platelets count.

Results: The result showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in the level of the various immunological parameters assayed. This depicts a possible immunosuppressive potential of Moringa oleifera leave extract. However, a dose dependant significant (p<0.05) decrease in Total WBC count, Neurophil count, Lymphocyte count, Monocyte count, Total lymphocyte count (TLC) and Platelets count following the co – administration of cyclophosphamide and Moringa oleifera leave extract when compared to cyclophosphamide administered groups. However, nonsignificant decrease in eosinophil and Basophil were observed.

Conclusion: Therefore, the results strongly suggest that Moringa oleifera leaves may have potential effect as a naturally derived immunostimulant to reverse the immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide. Combined administration of Moringa oleifera leave extract and cyclophosphamide modulate cellular immunity and could be beneficial in intracellular bacterial and viral infections. Further studies using isolated compounds of the extract are recommended to identify the active agent with its exact mechanism of action.