title: Synergetic effects of oral administration of levamisole and Echinacea purpurea on immune response in Wistar rat.
abstract: This research investigated the effects of levamisole and Echinacea purpurea (EP), separately and together on the immune response of the rat as a laboratory model. In this experiment, 40 male Wistar rats were obtained and divided into four groups (n=10). These groups received normal saline (10 mg/kg), EP (500 mg/kg), levamisole (2 mg/kg) and EP (500 mg/kg) with levamisole (2 mg/kg) as oral gavages every day for a period of 4 weeks, respectively. After obtaining blood samples (at the end of each week), haematocrit (HCT), differential and total white blood cell (WBC) counts, phagocyte activity (number), total protein, albumin and globulins levels of samples were obtained. The results of the study showed that the gamma globulin level, WBC, neutrophil and monocyte counts and phagocyte activity increased significantly in comparison with normal saline group during the study. According to the results, each of the mentioned agents had a stimulant effect on the immune system separately and together on rats. In the group that received EP and levamisole simultaneously, these effects were synergistically increased. These compounds, by increasing the mentioned factors, will probably affect the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Association of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: saeed.sadigetegad@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sadigh-Eteghad
authors.affiliation: Department of pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khayat-Nuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Basic Science, Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abadi
authors.affiliation: Scientific Association of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Siavash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghavami
authors.affiliation: Scientific Association of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Basic Science, Payame Nur University, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Dariush
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shanebandi
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004357:Drug Synergism; D020900:Echinacea; D005916:Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D006400:Hematocrit; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000418:Albumins; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005916:Globulins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D007978:Levamisole