Premium
Modulatory effects of several herbal extracts on avian peripheral blood cell immune responses
Author(s) -
Dorhoi A.,
Dobrean V.,
Zăhan M.,
Virag P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1859
Subject(s) - immune system , biology , traditional medicine , hippophae rhamnoides , allium sativum , immunity , innate immune system , pharmacology , immunology , medicine , food science , botany
Standardized ethanol extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Plantago major (plantain) and Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) were assessed for their effects on cellular immunity in laying hens. Birds ( n = 25) had blood samples taken and both specific and non‐specific immune cell responsiveness were evaluated by a leukocyte proliferation assay, carbon clearance test and SRBC phagocytosis in monocyte‐derived macrophage cultures. Licorice and sea buckthorn (50 µg/mL) clearly enhanced the macrophage membrane function ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Dual effects on circulating phagocytes were revealed for plantain and sea buckthorn, while garlic at 200 µg/mL impaired the phagocytic capacity of blood cells. None of the tested extracts showed mitogenic properties, but high concentrations of sea buckthorn (400 µg/mL) inhibited leukocyte proliferation. Small concentrations (20 µg/mL) of licorice proved the co‐mitogenic potential for both T and B avian lymphocytes ( p < 0.05). Certain extracts definitely enhanced the fowl innate and/or specific cell immunity and may therefore improve host resistance in poultry. Considering the chicken as an important non‐mammalian model that also serves as an available laboratory approach for some human diseases, herbs exerting immunomodulatory properties may find relevant clinical applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.