EFFECT OF AQEUOUS STEM BARK EXTRACT OF VITELLARIA PARADOXA ON IFN-γ and IL-4 LEVELS IN ALBINO RATS

Vitellaria paradoxa is a well-known plant of Africa origin whose leaves, roots, and stem bark extract have been used for treatment of various ailments. Cytokines are small, non-structural proteins with low molecular weight and high complex regulatory influence on inflammation and immunity, they are mostly produced by T helper cells. The study was aimed at assessing the effect of aqueous stem bark extract of V. paradoxa on IFN-γ and IL-4 in albino rats. A total of 25 Albino rats aged 12-18 weeks old, and weighted between (15g-38g) of either sex was used, they were fed with different concentration of stem bark extract of Vitellaria paradoxa for 21 days. Blood sample was collected through the cardiac puncture, serum levels of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and Interleukin- 4 (IL-4) cytokines were quantified by quantitative sandwich enzyme Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Vitellaria paradoxa was found to have effect on IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines of Albino rats by increasing their levels. The result shows statistically significant increase. Therefore, since the extracts possesses immunostimulatory activity, it is highly recommended to be use in treatment of different infection but at a control dose.