The Effect of Brazilian Spinach (Alternanthera sissoo hort) Leaf Extract on Lymphocyte Count and Organ Index of Male Mice

Abstract

Utilization of flora biodiversity is very potential to be explored as a source of medicine. Their phytochemicals content could be used as immunomodulator to help body's immunity fight pathogen. Brazilian spinach has the potential to be developed as an herbal-based immunostimulant because of its nutritional value and phytochemical compounds. This study aimed to study the effect of Brazilian spinach leaf extract on the immune response of male mice as shown by lymphocyte count and spleen and thymus index values. Extract of Brazilian spinach leaf was obtained by maceration method using 96% ethanol as solvent. Phytochemical were detected using qualitative biochemical methods and GC-MS. The in vivo test was carried out by giving 6 treatments to male mice orally in 7 days, namely aquades treatment, negative control (Na-CMC-aquadest), positive control (commercial immunostimulants), and three doses of Brazilian spinach leaf extract, namely 0.1563 mg/g. BB; 0.312 mg/g BW), and 0.468 mg/g BW. The number of lymphocytes was prepared and counted by blood smear, as well as the calculation of the spleen and thymus index based on fresh weight calculation. Qualitative biochemical assays showed identified flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins and steroids in Brazilian spinach leaf extract, meanwhile GC-MS assays showed 3 dominant compounds, namely neophytadiene, phytol and -Tocopheryl acetate. The administration of Brazilian spinach leaf extract with a dose of 0.1563 mg/g BW was the most effective in increasing lymphocytes count of tested animals. The thymus and spleen index values ??correlated with the increased number of lymphocytes in the administration of Brazilian spinach leaf extract. These results indicate the basic potential of using Brazilian spinach leaves as an immunostimulant.