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.

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 dai). An increase in total count of CD4, CD3, CD19 splenocytes was observed (21 dai). CM elevated the percentage of CD4 cells (7 dai) and CD4/CD8 ratio (21 dai) in MLN. CM increased (14 dai) and then reduced (21 dai) the percentage of CD8 MLN lymphocytes and decreased total count of MLN CD8 cells (21 dai) and B cells (14 dai). An activation of lymphocyte proliferation in spleen and simultaneous decrease in MLN on 5 dai was observed. An increase in red blood cells parameters (5 dai) and in leukocyte count (7 dai) was found. A rise in platelet count was noticed both on 5 and 7 dai. Moreover, the number of adult T. spiralis on 5 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.