Trichilia glabra: effect on the phagocytic activity and respiratory burst response of peritoneal macrophages.

A diminution in the phagocytic capability and respiratory burst response of murine peritoneal macrophages was observed when these cells were treated 'in vitro' with Trichilia glabra leaf aqueous extract. The effect was not observed when non-specific phagocytosis was tested. The extract also inhibited binding of opsonized erythrocytes to macrophages, thus indicating that the observed antiphagocytic effect is possibly due to the failure of opsonized particles to bind to these cells. A low molecular weight fraction is responsible for the reported activities.