EFFECT OF ECHINACEA PURPUREA AND CLOVE (SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM) AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON IMMUNE DEFICIENCY INDUCED BY CISPLATIN IN RATS

ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Echinacea purpurea and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) aqueous extract on raising the immune response in rats with immune deficiency diseases. Forty-eight male albino rats were randomly divided into 8 equal groups (n=6). Group 1 was negative group, whereas the other 7 groups injected by cisplatin. Group 2 kept as the immunotoxic control group (+ve group). Groups 3 and 4 received 1 and 2 ml of Echinacea extract, whereas 1 and 2 ml of clove extract were given to groups 5 and 6, respectively. Groups 7 and 8 received 1 and 2 ml of Echinacea and clove extract mixture, respectively, for 8 weeks. Results of body weight, spleen weight, serum immunogolobulin G, immunogolobulin M (IgM), total protein, albumin, globulin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocytes and eosinophil significantly decreased. Whereas leukocyte significantly increased by cisplatin in positive control group as compared to the negative control group. On the other hand, administration of Echinacea and clove extracts and their combination attenuated these adverse effects and markedly ameliorated biochemical alterations that caused by cisplatin administration. In conclusion, Echinacea and clove extracts stimulate the immune system of rats with cisplatin-induced suppressed immunity. This study recommended increasing the consumption of the Echinacea and clove in the diet, this may be raising the immune response in patient with immune disorders.