Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract on Immunoglobulins of Albino Wistar Rats

The immune system is a host defense mechanism comprising many biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease. This study aims to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf on Immunoglobulin in Wistar rats. Twenty five (25) male rats were randomly divided into five (5) groups (A-E) of five (5) rats in each group. Group A served as control and were fed with conventional feed and distilled water only, while groups B, C, D and E served as test groups and received 20, 40, 60 and 80mg/kg body weight (bw) of the extract respectively. The administration was for 14 days. Thereafter groups B-E were inoculated with the test organisms and monitored for two weeks. At the end of administration, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and IgA, IgG and IgM levels were estimated by the immunoturbudrimetric method. Result obtained showed a significant (pless than0.05) reduction in the serum concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and a significant (pless than0.05) increase in the serum levels of immunoglobulins A and M (IgA and IgM) at a dose of 40mg/kgbw of the extract. There was significant (pless than0.05) increase in immunoglobulin A at 60mg/kgbw when compared with the control. There were no significant changes in the immunoglobulins at the other concentrations. The present study demonstrates possible beneficial therapeutic effect on the amelioration of immunological diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and infections caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus organism respectively in human clinical trials, especially at low concentration for immunoglobulins A and M. This finding supports the anecdotal use of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera as an immune boosting agent