Haematopoiesis-stimulating activity of Tapinanthus globiferus on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in albino rats

Background: Immunostimulation is a valuable but under-utilised alternative to conventional antimicrobial and anticancer chemotherapies. Optimum immunostimulation is a function of adequate haematopoiesis as against mere leucocyte proliferation. The immunostimulatory potentials of the African mistletoe, Tapinanthus globiferus, could be conjectured based on morphological and chemotaxonomic association with its European counterpart Viscum album, an established immunostimulant.

Objective: This study investigated the phytochemicals in the methanol leaf extract of Tapinanthus globiferus, its acute toxicity, and stimulatory effects on White Blood Cell (WBC), Red Blood Cell (RBC), and Platelet (PLT) counts.

Methods: Crude methanol leaf extract of T. globiferus was screened for phytochemical constituents according to established procedures. Immunosuppression was induced (using 30mg/Kg cyclophosphamide) in twenty-five albino male rats randomly and equally distributed into five groups (1-5). Extract was administered for 14 days at 50 mg/Kg, 100 mg/Kg, and 150 mg/Kg doses to groups 3, 4 and 5 respectively, groups 1 and 2 receiving 5% tween 80 and levamisole respectively instead. Blood sample was collected from each rat before and after immunosuppression, and after the 14-day treatment regimen, followed by analysis for total and differential white WBC, RBC, and PLT counts.

Results: Saponins, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, anthraquinones, and terpenoids were confirmed present. There was a statistically significant increase in each of the total and differential WBC, RBC, and PLT counts compared to the negative control (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Tapinanthus globiferus possesses immunostimulatory, erythropoietic, and thrombopoietic activities.