IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM Vernonia amygdalina

Authors

  • I.M. Ezeonu Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria
  • A.E. Asuquo Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • B.N. Ukwah Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
  • P.O. Ukoha Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v13i6.3

Keywords:

Vernonia amygdalina, prebiotic, fructo-oligosaccharide, galacto-oligosaccharide, haematology

Abstract

Background: Vernonia amygdalina, commonly called bitter-leaf, is widely consumed in many parts of Africa, and Nigeria, in particular. The leaf extract has been reported to have antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-helminthic, as well as prebiotic properties, but its immuno-modulatory effects have not been well-studied, neither have the prebiotics been identified. This study evaluated the immuno-modulatory properties of the aqueous leaf extract and identified the prebiotic components. Methods: The immuno-modulatory potential was evaluated by monitoring the effects of oral administration of the extract on immunological, haematological and lipid profiles of Rattus norvegicus, while the prebiotic components were identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC), following liquid-liquid fractionation of the extract. Results: Consumption of the extract caused significant increases in CD4+-, white blood cell-, total lymphocyte- and high density lipid (HDL) counts; decreases in low density lipid (LDL) and triglycerides and no significant effect on haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in the blood of test animals. The water-soluble fraction of the extract contained most of the phytoconstituents of the extract and Thin Layer Chromatographic analysis of the fraction revealed the presence of fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotics. Conclusion: The results from this study have shown that the aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina has positive immune-modulatory and haematologic effects and contains some important prebiotic compounds.

Author Biography

I.M. Ezeonu, Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria

Professor of Medical Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

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Published

2016-09-29

How to Cite

Ezeonu, I., Asuquo, A., Ukwah, B., & Ukoha, P. (2016). IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM Vernonia amygdalina. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 13(6), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v13i6.3

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 6 (2016)

Section

Research Papers

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