Immunomodulatory activities of Yoyo bitters: recommended dose precipitated inflammatory responses in male Wistar rats

• Published in: Pakistan journal of biological sciences 2013-12, Vol.16 (24), p.1904-1912
• Main Authors: Oyewo, E B, Adetutu, A, Adebisi, J A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body Weight - drug effects; Eating - drug effects; Immunologic Factors - administration & dosage; Immunologic Factors - toxicity; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - chemically induced; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Lipids - blood; Liver - drug effects; Liver - metabolism; Male; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations - administration & dosage; Plant Preparations - toxicity; Plants, Medicinal; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Time Factors; Uric Acid - blood
• ISSN: 1028-8880; 1812-5735
• DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2013.1904.1912

This study investigated the immunomodulatory capabilities of the sub-chronic administration of Yoyo bitters in male Wistar rats. Eighteen rats weighing 86.2 +/- 4.43 g were randomly picked into three equal groups. The rats were acclimatized for 14 days, after which 0.308 and 0.462 mL kg(-1) b.wt. of Yoyo bitters were administered once daily to groups B and C respectively for 56 days, while group A received distilled water. The feed intake, body weight, blood glucose, interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), haematological parameters, serum lipid profile and uric acid, liver reduced glutathione and malodialdehyde were determined. The feed intake, body weight and blood glucose concentrations were reduced (p < 0.05) at the doses. No changes were recorded in the concentration of serum IL-2 (p > 0.05), but IL-6 decreased (p < 0.05) in group B and increased (p < 0.05) in group C, while TNF-alpha were increased (p < 0.05) dose dependent. The haematological parameters were decreased at all the doses (p < 0.05), except the ESR, WBC and lymphocytes that were increased (p < 0.05) and platelets in group C (p < 0.05). The serum total cholesterol, TAG, LDL-C and atherogenic index were decreased (p < 0.05) and HDL-C increased (p < 0.05) in group B only. Serum uric acid was reduced (p < 0.05) in group B, but increased in group C with the concentration of liver MDA (p < 0.05). The study, therefore, established that a dose lower than the manufacturer's recommended dose presented the desired immunomodulatory activities and the habitual use of Yoyo bitters at the adult recommended dose calls for caution.