ABSTRACT

In vivo evaluation of methanol extract of Cajanus cajan seeds was carried out using female wistai* albino rats in the laboratory. Twelve (12) female wistar albino rats were grouped into thi*ee (3) according to weight range and fed vital growers mash and water ad libitum. Group 1 served as normal control group and was administered vital growers mash and water ad libitum. Group 2 served as positive control group and was administered pyrogallol, water and vital growers mash. Group 3 served as test group and was administered pyrogallol, Cajanus cajan. extract, water and fed vital growers mash ad libitum. These experiments took 7 weeks (1 week acclimatization. 1 week administration of pyrogallol and 4 weeks administration of Cajanus cajan extract & pyrogallol), after which the animals were sacrificed and the serum was analyzed for Glutatliione peroxidase (GPx), Glutathione (GSH), Vitamin E, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Platelets, Haemoglobin (HB), Red blood cells (RBC), Packed cell volume (PCV), White blood cells (WBC), Primaiy and Secondary antibody. The results obtained showed a significant (P< 0.05) increase in GPx activity, GSH activity, catalase activity, WBC count, HB levels, RBC concentration, PCV content, primary and secondary antibody concentration of the immune suppressed Cajanus cajan treated group, when compared with the positive control group. The results also showed a non- significant increase in the vitamin E concentration in the positive control group, and a significant (P< 0.05) increase in the MDA concentration and platelets levels, fbr the positive control group when compared with the immune suppressed Cajanus cajan treated group. This study confirmed that Cajanus cajan possess immune- stimulatory effect.