Hematological and immunomodulatory evaluation of methanolic extract of Sorghum bicolor leaves

Abstract

Introduction: Sorghum bicolor has widely reported ethnomedicinal uses which include its use for stimulation and purification of blood as well as body defense. Aim: The study aims to determine the hematological and immunological activity of S. bicolor leaf base extracts. Materials and Methods: The immunological effect of the leaf base extract was evaluated using tests on hematological indices and activated charcoal clearance assay for macrophage phagocytosis. Results: The results revealed that the extract of 100–300 mg/kg formed no significant change in the packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, total leukocyte count, monocyte, basophil, eosinophil, bleeding time, and clotting time. The dose of 100 mg/kg produced a significant increase in neutrophil and decrease in lymphocyte. Platelet count was significantly increased at the dose of 300 mg/kg. The extract showed strong stimulation of phagocytic rate at the dose of 300 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results did not validate the ethnomedicinal use of the plant leaf base for stimulation of blood production. It, however, showed improvement of non-specific immune responses involving phagocytosis and inflammation.