Immunostimulatory activity of aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis on human neutrophils

Abstract

The use of herbal extract in the treatment of infectious disease has been a regular practice in Nigeria and other developing countries. The study aim was to evaluate the immunostimulatory effect of aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis on human neutrophils. Thirty (30) healthy volunteers were recruited into this study, consisting of 15 male and 15 female. Blood sample collected was used to isolate the Neutrophils. Different concentrations (25 µg/ml 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml and 1mg/ml) of the plant extract were prepared. Giemsa stain was used to determine the neutrophils phagocytic function while methylene blue was used to carryout micro bicidal capacity analysis. There was significant increase in phagocytic index and micro bicidal capacity of neutrophils with increase in the plant extract concentration (p