In vitro immunitary impact and antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of Maprounea africana Müll (Euphorbiaceae) and Mitragyna stipulosa O.Kze (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the in vitro immunitary impacts and antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of Maprounea africana (Euphorbiaceae) leaves and Mitragyna stipulosa (Rubiaceae) stem barks. Impact on leukocyte cells (total lymphocyte, polynuclears, monocyte, NK, TCD8 and TCD4) was quantified by using flow cytometry and, antioxidant activity by quantification of hydrogen peroxide production after immunomarking of specific monoclonal antibodies. The results showed a significant descrease of total lymphocyte, polynuclear, NK, TCD8 and, a non-significant descrease of TCD4 and monocyte induces by aqueous extract of M. africana leaves. Whereas aqueous extract of the stem bark of M. stipulosa induces a significant increase of total lymphocyte, TCD4, NK, TCD8 and, a significant descrease of polynuclear and monocyte. The two extracts significantly reduce (p˂0.001) the production of hydrogen peroxid by polynuclear, lymphocytes and monocytes. These results suggest an immunomodulatory and immunostimulant effect of M. africana and M. stipulosa respectively and, antioxidant activity. The present study established pharmacological evidence to support traditional uses of these two species and may open up the possibility of finding the new compounds against immunological desseases.