Effect of decoction of Tawa Tawa (Euphorbia hirta) on the white blood cell count and Peyer’s patches of male white mice (Mus musculus castaneus).

Abstract

The use of Euphorbia hirta L. decoctions as prophylaxis against dengue has been reported in some provinces in the Philippines. However, no scientific studies have been done to validate the claim. A decrease in white blood cell count is usually noted in dengue viral infection; and one of the areas where the virus replicates is the Peyer’s patch of the small intestine. To determine the effect of the plant decoction, the white blood cell counts, the gross and the histological examination of Peyer’s patches were used as indicators of its reputed properties. Decoctions of Euphorbia hirta proportional to human consumption were administered orally to one-month old, healthy, male, Swiss breed mice daily for twelve days. White blood cell counts were taken during days 3, 6, 9, and 12 from the dorsal pedal vein of the mice and counted using a hemocytometer. Mice were also subjected to post-mortem examination and small intestine segments were collected during days 3, 6, and 9, had undergone serial sectioning and stained with Hemotoxylin – Eosin. Both mouse groups were observed to have a generally slight increase in white blood cell counts during the course of administration of treatments. However, the difference was statistically insignificant. Gross examination of the ileum of the all groups showed acitve Peyer’s patches which are described as slightly distended. Microscopic examination of treatment tissues were observed to have infiltrates containing non-specific lymphocytes. There were no notable differences observed histologically between the treatment mice and the control mice. Based on the results, the decoctions did not have an effect on the white blood cell coun and on the gross morphology and the histology of the Peyer’s patches of the male, Swiss breed, white mice. The study suggests that there is no basis for the prophylactic use reportedly gained by the ingestion of decoctions of Euphorbia hirta when administered to mice.