Immunomodulating activity of leaf decoctions from four Staphylea L. species

Immunomodulating activity of leaf decoctions from four Staphylea species (Staphylea colchica Stev., S. elegans Zab., S. holocarpa Hemsl. and S. pinnata L.) was studied on human mononuclear cells. Phagocytic activity of mononuclear cells was highest after incubation with the extract of S. holocarpa Hemsl. S. colchica Stev. possesses the highest lysozyme activity, a little lower values were determined by S. holocarpa Hemsl. and S. pinnata L. The inhibition of the peroxidase activity of mononuclear cells was most significant in S. holocarpa Hemsl., in opposition on S. pinnata L., the only species that showed the stimulating effect on the immune cells again. all the studied species showed the immunomodulating activity, S. pinnata L. seems to be immunostimulating only. S. colchica Stev. and S. holocarpa Hemsl. are the most prospective species from the view of immunomodulating activity.