The Potentiating effects of Citrullus colocynthis extract on immune system

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The stimulating effects of medicinal plants on immune system were taken into consideration. In this relation, saponins and flavonoids are well known compounds. The presence of these compounds in Citrullus colocynthis (CC), also a report based on leucocytosis activity of C.C, it caused that we were going to investigate the effect of this plant on immune system. Materials and Methods: In the present paper, the histologic effects of pulps and seeds extracts of CC on gastrointestinal mucosal from the point of view of immunity were investigated. Aerial parts of CC were extracted with MeOH 70% and the presence of different groups of natural compounds were assessed by phytochemical methods. Then 30 male rabbits are used, they divided into 5 groups. One group is kept as diabetic control and from the other 4 groups, 2 groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of pulp extract and two groups were received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract of C.C by gavage. After 1 month of experimental period, rabbits were sacrificed by chloroform and specimens from intestine were fixed in 10% formalin and studied with light microscopy. The number of penetrating lymphocytes to intestinal epithelium observed in morphometery were criteria of immune system functional marker. Results: All of animals that received 200mg/kg/day pulp extract of C.C ,and 46% of animals that received 100 mg/kg /day of pulp extract died. The number of intestinal mucosal lymphocytes enhanced in group of received 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract. Mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day pulp extract group in comparison to control group(p< 0.05). Increasing of lymphocytes was significant in 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of seed extract and mean of penetrating lymphocytes was significant in comparison to control group (p<0.005). Conclusion: Immunostimulant effect of the extract of CC seed is higher than the extract of CC pulp but the toxicity of the pulp extract is more than the toxicity of the seed extract.