[Regulation of cellular-mediated immunity by Chenopodi boni henrici herba polysaccharides in hens]

The immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides from Chenopodium bonus-henricus herba was tested on adult hens.

Blood samples were harvested aseptically by punction of brachial vein; ability of circulating phagocytes was assessed by the carbon particles phagocytosis test in vitro; while reactivity of peripheral lymphocytes was evaluated by lymphocytes transformation assay in vitro. Polysaharides were dissolved in saline solution and filtered throughout Millipore.

Phagocytic indexes (at 15 and 39 minutes) are variable according to polysaharides concentration; phagocytosis increased at 15 minutes for 40 microg/mL and 60 microg/mL, while for 30 minutes the phagocytic index decreased. In lymphocytes transformation assay, Chenopodium bonus-henricus polysaharides, alone, shown no stimulatory effect, and together to the classic mitogen, their influence was variable, but not statistical significant results were seen.

Polysaccharides have inconstant effect on phagocytosis, and mainly inhibitory role on lymphocytes proliferation.