Immuno-Kachiks formula immunomodulates and ameliorates hepatic damage induced by monosodium glutamate in rats

Description

Background: Immuno-Kachiks® is an herbal formulation made in Uganda that is being used for immunomodulation and the management of hepatic fibrosis. Aim: To determine the pharmacognostic parameters, safety, and effects of the Immuno-Kachiks® formulation against monosodium glutamate-induced liver fibrosis and adaptive immune suppression in male Wistar rats. Methodology: Liver fibrosis and immune suppression were induced by orally administering 2000 mg/kg monosodium glutamate to male Wistar rats aged 10 to 12 weeks for three months, followed by 28 days of treatment with the Immuno-Kachiks® product. The treatment doses were 400, 800, and 1500 mg/kg. Curative anti-hepatic fibrosis effects were determined by evaluating levels of alpha fetoproteins, total bilirubin, ALP, AST, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and liver histopathological studies. Immunomodulatory effects were assessed by evaluating the white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, and mixed cell count. Phytochemical screening, product fingerprinting, and acute toxicity evaluation were also performed. Results: Saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids were present. The Immuno-Kachiks® formulation exhibited 4 similar retention times at each of the three different wavelengths: 230 nm, 254 nm, and 370 nm. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the Immuno-Kachiks® formulation was greater than 5000 mg/kg. Monosodium glutamate significantly reduced the lymphocyte count and increased the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The Immuno-Kachiks® formulation significantly increased the lymphocyte count, reduced the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and normalised the neutrophil count. Treatment with the Immuno-Kachiks® product significantly reversed the alterations in liver morphology observed in rats with monosodium glutamate-induced liver fibrosis. Conclusion: The Immuno-Kachiks® formulation is relatively safe, is a potential curative agent for early-stage liver fibrosis and enhances adaptive immunity. Recommendations: Subacute and chronic toxicity studies, stability studies, and a study on the curative potential of the Immuno-Kachiks® product for liver cirrhosis be done.

Steps to reproduce

The data set is in STATA

Institutions

Categories

Funding

Licence