ANTIOXIDANT AND THE IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITIES EXHIBITED BY THREE PLANTS FROM LAMIACEAE FAMILY

Objective: The aim of this work was screening of the antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory effects of the crude extracts from the aerial parts of three Algerian endemic species from Lamiaceae . Methods: DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to find the antioxidant activity of Stachys circinata , Salvia verbenaca and Thymus guyonii and the immunostimulant potential of these plants extracts on the phagocytic activity which was measured by the carbon clearance rate test. Results: Our results obtained in this study shown that the IC50 of Thymus guyonii , Salvia verbenaca and Stachys circinata were 15,90;47,50 and 54,92 respectively. The phagocytic index was increased significantly in animals injected with Stachys circinata and Salvia verbenaca at doses of 200 mg/kg P≤0,05 but not significantly with Thymus guyonii when compared to the control group. The clearance rate of carbon was faster but not significantly P≥ 0,05 and the corrected phagocytic index α was increased at the group GIII with Salvia verbenaca but not significantly when compared with other groups P≥ 0,05. Conclusion: The Stachys circinata and Salvia verbenaca extracts proved an immune-stimulatory effect on the reticuloendothelial system and Thymus guyonii extract revealed anti-oxidant activity.