The Role of Zataria multiflora Essence (Iranian herb) on Innate Immunity of Animal Model.

BACKGROUND Herbal medicines have been used since ancient times as drugs for treatment of a range of diseases and have represented stimulatory effects on the function of innate immunity. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on the function of innate immunity including phagocytic activity and TNF-alpha secretion in animal model. METHODS BALB/c mice were divided into 2 groups with 8 mice: group A (mice administered with Z. multiflora essence intraperitoneally), group B (mice administered with distilled water intraperitoneally).Blood was taken from 4 mice in each group at days 4 and 7 after injection phagocytic activity and TNF- alpha secretion were assayed by chemiluminescence and ELISA methods, respectively. RESULTS The results of chemiluminescence and ELISA tests showed significant increasing in phagocytic activity and TNF-alpha secretion of group A in compare with control group at days 4 and 7. CONCLUSION Z. multiflora essence can stimulate remarkably innate immunity function and it may be used to immunize individuals as prophylactic and/or therapeutic adjuvant alone or in combination with other immunostimulatory agents.