The increase in resistance to antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections is a global problem. Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is a bacterial infection responsible for one-fifth of child mortality in Africa. The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate immuno stimulatory complexes (ISCOM) from Carica papaya leaves.
The ISCOM was formed using the ethanol injection method and saponin source from Carica papaya leaves. Immunological assays of neutrophil adhesion, carbon clearance, hemagglutinating antibody titre and acute toxicity test were conducted using healthy laboratory mice.
The results were compared to standard drug (Levamisole). Neutrophil adhesion showed fairly significant increase (21.26±0.00) as against the levamisole (21.09±0.00). The increase phagocytic index (0.089± 0.017) shows stimulation of reticuloendothelial system when compared to both controls (distilled water = 0.032 ± 0.001; levamisole = ± 0.071 ± 0.001). At 5000mg/kg body weight of administered ISCOM, no death was recorded.
It can be concluded from this study that Carica papaya leaves has immunomodulatory capacity and has significant saponin yield which can serve as a component of ISCOM formulation. Carica papaya based ISCOM promises be useful in the defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections.