Experimental immunology
The influence of Rhodiola rosea extracts on non-specific and specific cellular immunity in pigs, rats and mice

Andrzej K. Siwicki

,

Ewa Skopińska-Różewska

,

Małgorzata Hartwich

,

Roman Wójcik

,

Tadeusz Bakuła

,

Mirosława Furmanowa

,

Barbara J. Bałan

,

Ewa Sommer

,

Sebastian Mielcarek

,

Waldemar Buchwald

,

Anna Krajewska-Patan

,

Alina Mścisz

,

Przemysław M. Mrozikiewicz

,

Janusz Bany

The genus Rhodiola (Crassulaceae) consists of more than 100 species growing mainly in Asia and Europe The best known is Rhodiola rosea The roots of this species are traditionally used as a tonic, adaptogen, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory drugs The aim of our work was to study in vitro and in vivo the effects of aqueous and 50% hydroalcoholic extracts of Rhodiola rosea on non-specific and specific cellular immunity in pigs, rats and mice Mice were fed 50, 100, 200, or 400 µg of Rhodiola extracts daily, for 7 days before cellular immunity study (local GVH reaction) Blood leukocytes collected from pigs and rats were cultivated in vitro with PHA or LPS in the presence of 1-50 µg/ml of Rhodiola rosea extracts for 72 hours The metabolic activity of blood phagocytes (mostly granulocytes) was determined based on the measurement of intracellular respiratory burst after stimulation by PMA (phorbol myristate acetate), and potential bactericidal activity was determined in isolated blood leukocytes stimulated with microorganisms Additionally, some in vitro toxicological studies were performed For these experiments GMK (monkey’s kidney), EPC (fish epithelial cells), and KFC (Koy fins cells) cell lines, as well as lymphocytes and monocytes isolated from the blood of pigs and rats were used Both extracts enhanced non-specific and specific cellular immunity to the various degrees; however, in higher doses or concentrations they presented inhibitory effects In in vitro studies all extracts were non-toxic at concentrations 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1000 µg/ml after 24, 48, and 72 hours of cells cultures