Cobalt-60 lymphocytes immuno-phenotypes/myeloid-lymphoid toxicities and countermeasure effects of aqueous extracts of Parquetina nigrescens, Camellia sinensis and Telfairia occidentalis in guineapigs

Introduction: Radiotherapy is an outstanding and efficacious mode of cancer management. Immune dyscrasia and dyshaemopoiesis in patients being managed with radiotherapy are well documented. Currently, no ideal radio-immuno-haematologic countermeasures in clinical use especially because, of their toxicities at the optimal concentrations exists. This study assessed the countermeasure effects of Parquetina nigrescens, Camellia sinensis and Telfairia occidentalis on immune syndrome in irradiated guineapigs. Methods: Thirty guineapigs were randomly assigned to nine groups: [A1-A4 (Pre), B1-B4 (Post) and C (Control)] where (n = 3)/group for countermeasure studies. Animals were exposed to 4.0 Gy whole-body Co60 while extracts were administered twice daily at concentrations of 400 mg/ml, 1000 mg/ml, 900 mg/ml of C. sinensis, P. nigrescens and T. occidentalis respectively. Peripheral whole blood was collected on days (D): baseline, D0 [24 hours after radiation], D3, D9 and D14. Haemogram and CD4 were analyzed. Results: Lymphocyte immune-phenotypes (CD4, Twbc), Abs. Neutrophil and Neutrophil:Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) counts were significantly increased from day 3 to 14 except NLR that was erratic on day 14 (p = 0.01). Contrarily, Absolute Lymphocyte counts were significantly decreased from day 3 to 9 then increased significantly on day 14 (p = 0.00) with significant NLR similarly on day 14 (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The results indicate a significant decrease in lymphocyte-immunophenotypes in group C as compared to groups A and B, suggesting that extracts showed significant ameliorating effects in groups A and B probably by minimizing the activation of ROS/NOS. The leaves’ extracts of Camellia sinensis, Parquetina nigrescens and Telfairia occidentalis showed potent counter-effects to radiation-induced haemopoietic and immune dyscrasia syndromes in guineapigs.