Immunomodulatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of Heracleum persicum Desf. in Mice

Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts possess various biological characteristics, including immunomodulatory activity. Heracleum persicum Desf. (Apiaceae), a medicinal plant native to Iran, was studied for its immunomodulatory activity. Immunomodulatory activity of different doses of an aqueous extract of H. persicum, was evaluated in female Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated with three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 5 days. Body weight, relative organ weight, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and haemagglutination titre (HT) were studied in various groups of animals. No significant body weight gain differences were recorded in various groups of animals. The results obtained show a significant increase (P < 0.05) in relative organ weight of spleen and liver, at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. No elevation in the levels of liver function test (LFT) enzymes and kidney relative weight was observed with the plant doses examined. The H. persicum extract elicited a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the DTH response at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. In the HT test, the plant extract showed a stimulatory effect at all doses, however these changes were significant at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. No mortality occurred with the tested doses. Overall, H. persicum showed a stimulatory effect on both humoral and cellular immune functions in mice.