Effects of iridoid-anthocyanin extract of Cornus mas L. on hematological parameters, population and proliferation of lymphocytes during experimental infection of mice with Trichinella spiralis

Abstract

The influence of iridoid-anthocyanin aqueous extract of cornelian cherry fruits (CM) on hematological parameters, lymphocyte subsets and proliferation during Trichinella spiralis infection in mice was investigated. CM (100 mg/kg) was administered orally to T. spiralis-infected mice six times within a period encompassing three days prior to the infection and three days after the infection (dai). CM increased the percentage of CD3⁺, CD4⁺ cells and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and decreased total count of CD8⁺ and CD19⁺ splenocytes (5^th dai). An increase in total count of CD4⁺, CD3⁺, CD19⁺ splenocytes was observed (21^st dai). CM elevated the percentage of CD4⁺ cells (7^th dai) and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio (21^st dai) in MLN. CM increased (14^th dai) and then reduced (21^st dai) the percentage of CD8⁺ MLN lymphocytes and decreased total count of MLN CD8⁺ cells (21^st dai) and B cells (14^th dai). An activation of lymphocyte proliferation in spleen and simultaneous decrease in MLN on 5^th dai was observed. An increase in red blood cells parameters (5^th dai) and in leukocyte count (7^th dai) was found. A rise in platelet count was noticed both on 5^th and 7^th dai. Moreover, the number of adult T. spiralis on 5^th dai in mice receiving CM extract was lower than in the control mice. These results suggested that iridoid-anthocyanin aqueous extract of CM stimulated murine immune response during T. spiralis infection.

Keywords: Cornus mas L.; Lymphocyte proliferation; Lymphocyte subsets; Mice; Trichinella spiralis.