PHAGOCYTIC ACTIVITY OF Telfairia occidentalis LEAVES IN STIMULATING RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM (RES)

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the in vivo phagocytic activity and clearance
rates of Telfairia occidentalis plant additive using the carbon clearance assay. Wistar
albino rats were used in this study. The rats were injected with carbon ink through the
tail vein while blood samples were collected at intervals though the orbital vein using
capillary tubes. The results showed that T. occidentals leaves had the ability to
significantly (p<0.05) stimulate the phagocytes in the reticuloendothelial system by
enhancing phagocytosis thereby clearing the carbon ink used from the system of the
animals faster than the control group.