In-vivo Immunomodulatory Activities of Essential Oils of and in Mice.

BACKGROUND

Ethiopians use as immunity enhancers. However, there is no scientific validation conducted so far regarding this claim. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vivo immunomodulatory activities of essential oils of in mice.

METHODS

The extraction was carried out using the earlier techniques. By hydro distilling fresh seeds and aerial portions of and , respectively, essential oils were obtained. Essential oils of both plants were tested at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. The rate of carbon clearance, humoral antibody titer, delayed type hypersensitivity response, spleen and thymus indices were evaluated in mice according to scientific protocols. The carbon clearance assay was determined using carbon ink. Sheep red blood cell was used as an antigen for other tests.

RESULTS

Essential oils of and at 400 mg/kg significantly increased the rate of carbon clearance from the body of mice (<0.05). The maximum carbon clearance rate was achieved for essential oil at 400 mg/kg. Both essential oils raised the level of HAT to SRBC in comparison to the vehicle and cyclophosphamide administered groups. The largest (84.668±1.951) mean secondary HAT to SRBC was generated by essential oil at 400 mg/kg (<0.001). essential oil at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased the level of thymus index compared to the model group (<0.05 and 0.01 respectively). The levamisole group experienced the highest increase in thymus index (<0.001). Essential oil of at 400 mg/kg also increased the level of thymus index. The spleen index in mice was improved by the essential oils only at the highest dose levels (400 mg/kg).

CONCLUSION

It can be inferred that the essential oils of and have immunostimulant properties.