Stigmasterol isolated from Sungkai (<i>Peronema canescens</i> Jack) leaves Induced Natural Killer Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Challenged Albino Mice

http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v7i12.8

Abstract

Sungkai leaves have been used to boost the body's immune system. This study evaluated the effect of different doses (1, 10 and 100 mg/kg BW) of stigmasterol isolated from Peronema canescens (Sungkai leaves) on Natural Killer cells in male albino mice exposed to Sars-Cov-2 virus antigen. Thirty adult male albino mice used in this experiment were divided into six groups of 5 mice, labelled I-VI. Group I was the uninfected control group, group II (infected and untreated). Groups III-V were exposed to 1.3 x 103 mL of SARS-CoV-2 virus Antigen and then treated with 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg bw of stigmasterol. Group VI animals received 6.5 mg/kg bw of Stimuno immunomodulator. After the treatment, the concentration of the Natural Killer (NK) cells in the experimental animals was measured. The different doses of the stigmasterol gave different concentrations of NK cells. At 1 mg/kg BW the mean value was 5.31 ng/mL; at 10 mg/kg BW, it was 6.45 ng/mL; and at 100 mg/kg bw, the value was 6.44 ng/mL at p<0.05. The results showed a dose-dependent increase in NK cell concentration in the treatment groups. The highest NK cell concentration (6.46 ng/dL) was obtained in the group treated with 10 mg/kg BW stigmasterol. The study concluded that stigmasterol isolated from the leaves of Peronema canescens boosted the NK cell concentration in SARS-CoV-2 antigen-challenged albino mice.