VİCTOR ONUKWUBE APEHA, FELİCİA I CHUKWUMA, FLORENCE NKECHİ NWORA, OBİOMA UZOMA NJOKU, FRED O NWODO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sciencia - 2021;59(3):363-383
This study evaluated immunomodulatory and candidacidal properties of Citrullus lanatus seed oil (CLSO) on Candida albicans-infected rat. The immunomodulatory and candidacidal activities of both crude and degummed oil at varied doses were determined using 80 female albino rats, randomised into 10 groups of 8 rats per group based on the days 7 and 14 of study. Delayed hypersensitivity reaction showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the hind paw oedema of rats treated with crude and degummed oil after 24 hours; however after 48 hour, a significant decrease (p<0.05) in hind paw oedema was observed. However, the CD4 + T-lymphocytes decreased at day 14 when compared with day 7 counterpart. In the same vein, IFN-γ and TNF-α decreased from day 7 to day 14 of the study; while IL-10 and IgA increased from day 7 to day 14 of the study. CLSO does not boost immune system, rather demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities of the oil.
