Gomphrena celosioides

ABSTRACT Gomphrena celosioides is a plant used in many traditional medicine recipes in West Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. The present study aimed to evaluate the cellular immune response induced by the ethanolic extract of Gomphrena celosioides. The acute toxicity study of the extract used, conducted in rats according to OECD guideline no. 423, showed that the extract is non-toxic. The effect of the extract on cellular immunity markers was obtained in rats by measuring white blood cells, CD4+ T lymphocytes, neutrophils, and total lymphocytes. The absolute counts of these cells were determined by flow cytometry phenotyping. This study showed that the ethanolic extract of Gomphrena celosioides significantly increases the number of white blood cells, neutrophils and CD4+ T lymphocytes, thus suggesting an immunostimulatory action of this extract in rats. Keywords: Gomphrena celosioides, ethanolic extract, acute toxicity, cellular immunity markers, immunostimulant