Immunological Biomarkers Determined In Female Rats Administered With Pro-Fertility Extract Of Anthocleista Vogelii

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:Anthocleista vogelii Planch, is a plant that has been widely used by Traditional medicine practitioners either singly or in combination with other plant materials to treat several diseases or ailments in humans, including infertility problems both in male and female.

DESIGN: Ethanolic extract of Anthocleista vogelii were administered orally for 14 days to rats placed in different groups. Temporary infertility in female rats was induced with Micronor (norethisterone) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) which was given orally for seven (7) days prior to other treatment. The rats were sacrificed after the completion of extract administration. Blood samples from experimental animal groups were collected through cardiac puncture and transferred into potassium ethylene diamine tetra acetate (K₃EDTA) tubes and plain tubes. The absolute counts of clusters of differentiation CD4+ and CD8+ was performed using the Becton Dickinson’s (BD) FACS Count Automated technique. The haematological parameters were performed using the Sysmex® Automated Hematology Analyzer KX-21N. Oestradiol analysis was performed on sera obtained from the experimental animals using commercial standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

RESULT / OUTCOME: The extract was found to possess Anthraquinones, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Alkaloids, Phenols and Phytosterols The obtained results of the ethanolic extract of Anthocleista vogelii administered group compared with control showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in CD4+ and CD8+ counts, from (851.33±96.34) to (451.00±21.02) and from (1058.67±93.31) to (636.00±28.93) for CD4+ and CD8+ cells respectively. The haematological parameters showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in absolute middle cells (basophils, eosinophils and monocytes) count. The obtained results showed a significant increase of estradiol concentration in the female rats, from (184.65±30.06 pg/ml) in the control group compared to (288.29±30.06pg/ml) in the extract treated group.

These findings suggest that Anthocleista vogelii may have a role in creating the environment required for successful pregnancy by decreasing the levels of CD4+ and CD8+ cytokines production and increasing monocytes and granulocytes activation. The plant can be used to induce oestrogen production therefore, supports the claims on the traditional use of Anthocleista vogelii to enhance fertility in female.

KEY: Ethanolic extract, Anthocleista vogelii, WBC, RBC, female fertility, CD4+ and CD8+, `Oestradiol