title: Immunostimulatory responses to crude extracts of Warburgia ugandensis (Sprague) subsp ugandensis (Canellaceae) by BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine the immunostimulatory potential of crude extracts of Warburgia ugandensis subsp. ugandensis with a soluble leishmanial antigen in vaccinating BALB/c mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy two female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into six groups. The mice were vaccinated with soluble leishmania antigens (SLA) alone, hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extract co-administered with SLA. Unvaccinated mice formed the control group. The induction of cell-mediated immunity following vaccination was determined by measuring in vitro lymphocyte proliferation and the production of interleukin (IL)-4 and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) determined by flow cytometry. Protection against L. major was determined by quantifying parasite burdens in L. major infected footpads using a limiting dilution assay and by measuring lesion sizes of the infected footpad compared to the contralateral uninfected footpad.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On vaccination with extracts of W. ugandensis subsp. ugandensis alone or as adjuvants when used in combination with Leishmania antigens, the hexane extract and the dichloromethane extract plus SLA stimulated moderate production of IFN-γ and low levels of IL-4.These mice were partially protected from cutaneous leishmaniasis as shown by the slow development of lesions and comparatively less parasite burdens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that extracts of W. ugandensis subsp. ugandensis are suitable adjuvants for Leishmania vaccines. However, since W. ugandensis subsp. ugandensis has been shown to be effective against Leishmania parasites in vitro and in vivo, further studies ought to be conducted to determine its immunochemotherapeutic potential when co-administered with a soluble leishmanial antigen in vaccinating BALB/c mice.
authors.affiliation: Daystar University, Kenya.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ngure
authors.affiliation: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
authors.forename: Zipporah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ng'ang'a
authors.affiliation: Kabianga University, Kenya.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimutai
authors.affiliation: Kenya Medical Training College, Kenya.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kepha
authors.affiliation: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mong'are
authors.affiliation: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya.
authors.forename: Johnnie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingonga
authors.affiliation: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya.
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tonui
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000187:drug effects*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Leishmaniasis; Warburgia ugandensis; cytokines; immunostimulatory responses