Effect of Bauhinia variegata L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extracts on immunocompromised male wistar rats

Bauhinia variegata L. and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. were considered for the study to evaluate the effect on haematological parameters using their bark and roots, respectively.The plant materials were collected, shade dried and ground to obtain fine powder.Methanolic extraction (95%) was undertaken for preparing the extracts.For in vivo study, forty two rats were randomized into seven experimental groups (n=6) for twenty eight day.Group 1 received PBS (1 ml/100 g b.w, pH 7.4).Groups II, III, IV and V received cyclosporine (5 mg/kg b.w) for first 7 days.Group III received levamisol (3.5 mg/kg b.w).Group IV received B. variegata methanolic extract (BVME 250 mg/kg b.w.) for 21 days.Group V received G. glabra methanolic extract (GGME 250 mg/kg b.w.) for 21 days.Group VI received BVME (250 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days.Group VII received GGME (250 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days.In vivo studies results showed that the animals treated with B. variegata methanolic extract (BVME) alone had significantly (p<0.0.5) higher haemoglobin values when compared with control group and cyclosporine treated group.Lymphocyte count decreased significantly in immunocompromised rats fed on plant extracts of both B. variegata and G. glabra, but this decrease was more significant in BVME treated immunocompromised rats as compared to control as well as BVME treated immunocompromised rats.Initially (day 7) monocyte count was found to be decreased in all the Groups which on day 28 increased non-significantly in all the plant extracts treated groups as compared to control.RBC count remains highly significantly low in group II as compared to the control groups.In group treated with B. variegata and G. glabra alone number of RBC count was comparable to control animals, but B. variegata treated both immunocompromised as well as normal animals showed more RBC count as compared to the G. glabra.Similarly, Hb level was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals treated with B. variegata alone (Group VI) as compared to the control group.The immunestimulation in immunocompromised animals in terms of lymphocytic and monocytic percentage was seen only with B. variegata extract.BBME administration to both immunocompromised (Group IV) as well as to normal rats (Group VI) showed more PCV% as compared to G. glabra.Thus, it can be concluded that B. variegata is more effective as compared to G. glabra as positive affect on the haematology of normal as well as immunosuppressed animals was observed with BBME.