%0 Journal Article
%T The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Leaf of Ficus capensis Thunb (Moraceae) on in Vivo Leukocyte Mobilization in Wistar Rats
%A O.A. Daikwo
%A J.A. Tende
%A S.M. Okey
%A E.D. Eze
%J British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
%D 2012
%I Maxwell Science Publication
%X Immune system (the body¡¯s defense system which protects the body from diseases), is subject to modification by substances to either enhance or suppress its ability to resist invasion by pathogen. Ficus capensis Thunb. (Moraceae), a wild fig tree, is believed by the Igala people of Kogi State in Nigeria to possess an immune boosting property, hence, forming part of most of their traditional remedies for several ailments. This study was aimed at investigating, so as to ascertain this claim. Twenty wistar strain albino rats divided into four groups of five animals each were used. One hour prior to introduction of an inflammatory stimulus, each rat in groups (Group 2-4) received oral administration of 100, 150 and 250 mg/kg, respectively of aqueous extract of leaf of Ficus capensis Thunb (Moraceae). The control group (Group 1) received distilled water. After four hours, the animals were sacrificed and both Total and Differential Leukocyte Counts were performed on the peritoneal fluid obtained from these animals. Evaluation of the data obtained from this study indicated a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in leukocyte mobilization, with doses 150 and 250 mg/kg giving total leukocyte count of 4.44¡À0.39¡Á109 and 6.10¡À0.86¡Á109/L, respectively, the most mobilized being Neutrophils. The results obtained from this study suggest that the extract might have a pharmacologically active substance which may be responsible for the above effect and its applications in traditional medicines as an immune boosting agent.
%K Ficus capensis thumb
%K immunity
%K inflammation
%K leukocytes mobilization
%K peritoneum
%U http://www.maxwellsci.com/jp/abstract.php?jid=BJPT&no=215&abs=03