Leukocyte-stimulating effect and phytochemical screening of Trichilia hirta extracts.

Trichilia hirta (Family Meliaceae) is a tree traditionally used in the folk medicine of Cuba to treat asthma, cancer, and ulcers. The objective of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition of ethanol extracts obtained from leaves, roots, and stem bark and to evaluate the leukocyte-stimulating effect of T. hirta root extracts on BALB/c mice. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined by phytochemical screening. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins were detected in extracts of T. hirta. The leukocyte-stimulating effect was evaluated by oral application of ethanol extracts (81.8 and 976 mg/kg) in BALB/c mice for 7 days. The application of 976 mg of extract/kg increased the total leukocyte count up to 15-33%; this effect was significant for neutrophil counts compared with control animals (P<.05). In addition, a dose of 82 mg/kg significantly increased total leukocytes at day 4 of the study (P<.05). The results indicated that T. hirta extracts contain phytochemicals reported as immunostimulants. The administration of these extracts to BALB/c mice indicated that ethanol extract could exhibit leukocyte-stimulating properties and makes it a promising alternative for the development of an immunoprotective agent.