Immunostimulatory activity of Stachys mialhesi de Noé

BACKGROUND: Immunostimulatory therapy is now being recognized as an alternative to conventional chemotherapy for a variety of disease conditions, involving the impaired immune response of the host. In the present study, the immunostimulatory effect of the butanolic extract obtained from S. mialhesi aerial parts, was evaluated in vivo. METHODS: The immunostimulant potential of the plant extract on the phagocytic activity was measured by the carbon clearance rate test. RESULTS: Our research revealed that at different doses (50, 100 and 500 mg/kg), S. mialhesi extract increased the phagocytic activity in a dose dependant manner when compared with the control and thus the clearance rate of carbon was faster after the administration of the plant extract. CONCLUSION: S. mialhesi extract exhibited a dose-dependent immunostimulant effect on the reticuloendothelial system, which could be attributed to the presence of active principles in this butanolic extract.