| RESEARCH PAPER |
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| Year : 1998 | Volume
: 30
| Issue : 3 | Page : 169-174 |
Activity of the stem bark extract of Alstonia Boonei de Wild (Apocynaceae) on human complement and polymorphonuclear leukocytes
OB Taiwo, OB Taiwo, BH Kroes, CJ Beukelman, SFAJ Horsten, SFAJ Horsten, SFAJ Horsten, JM Makinde, RP Labadie
Correspondence Address:
O B Taiwo
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of A. booneistem bark extracts on immune system in vitro using complement system and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes as immunological parameters.
Methods: Pulverized stem bark of A. boonei was defatted with petroleum ether and extracted with diethylether (DE), ethylacetate (EA), ethanol (EtOH) and water (AQ). Their anticomplementary activity was investigated on classical (CP) and alternative (AP) pathways of complement-mediated haemolysis using human serum and antibody-sensitized sheep erythrocytes (CP) or rabbit erythrocytes (AP). Their effects on phagocytic activity of PMN was assessed by using PMNs isolated from venous blood of healthy volunteers, serum treated zymosan, and luminol solution. Chemiluinescence was induced by zymosan.
Results: DE and EA extracts showed strong inhibition in the CP-mediated haemolysis whereas EtOH and AQ extracts showed little inhibition. None of the extracts inhibited AP-mediated haemolysis. The anticomplementary action of the active extracts increased with increase in temperature and time of preincubation. None of the extracts inhibited the chemiluminescence generated by stimulated
PMNs.
Conclusion: Some extracts of A. boonei stem bark (ABSB) have in vitro anticomplementary activity which is mediated through the classical pathway.The anticomplementary action may be the reason for its beneficial effect in rheumatoid arthritis.
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