"IMMUNO-PHYSlOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CRUDE AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF LEAVES AND FRUITS OF CHINA-BERRY TREE,"MELIA AZRDARACH L" ON WHITE ALBINO-RATS " RATTUS RATTUS

Abstract

SUMMARY The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect ofadministration of a suspension of milled dry leaves or fruits ofChina-berry trees "Melia azedarach L." on the cellular immune response of albino rats and to identify how splenectomy could interfere with their effects. Two common currently used suspensions ofmilled dry leaves or fruits of"M. azedarach L.' were studied. They were· given orally to the animals. The dose of their administration was 1000 mg/kg/body weight. The effect ofthese suspensions was followed up for periods of 3,7, and 14 days of all treatments except in case of investigation ofthe role of splenectomy where it was followed for only 3 days due to the expectable death of splenectomized animals. The effects of both suspensions on the cellular immune response were determined in normal rats and in rats without spleen. In addition, the effect ofboth suspensions on the proliferative ability ofJymphocytes in animals undergoing active immune response was also measured; that is after stimulation of animals with SRBC's as antigens. Their effect on the cellular composition of the lymph nodes and the lymphoid organs was monitored by determination of the changes in their relative weight and the lymphocyte number in their tissues. The effect ofboth suspensions treatments was followed up in lymphoid nodes and organs : mesenteric lymph nodes, peripheral lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus gland and Peyer's patches, in addition to blood . 98