ABSTRACT

Cytokines, a large group of soluble extracellular proteins or glycoproteins are key intracellular regulators and mobilizers of and are crucial to the innate and acquired immune responses. Modulation of cytokine expression is vital in the treatment and defense of a variety of diseases. The effect of methanol extract of Ocimum gratissimum and hot water extract of Term itomyces robustus on cytokine expression (TNF-a, IL-2, and IFN-y) were evaluated. The experimental animals were divided into five groups for study, made up of four animals each. Groupi received 100mg/kg of the extract of Ocimum gratissimum and pyrogaliol, group 2 received 300mg/kg of extract of Ocimum gratissimum and pyrogallol also group 3received 300mg/kg Term itomyces robustus extract and pyrogallol, while the control groups, that is, the negative control received pyrogallol only and the positive control were fed with water and normal feed for 2ldays. The results showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the cytokine, interleukin-2 in group in all the treated groups. Also interferon- 'y and tumor necrosis factor-a showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in all the groups. Similarly there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the humeral antibody titer response in all the groups and delayed type hypersensitivity of rats treated with the extract showed a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in group 1 and 3 when compared to negative control group and a non-significant (P>O.05) increase in group 2.The overall result indicates that the plant extract as well as mushroom extract modulates cytokine expression.