Effect of Salvia mirzayanii on the immune system and induction of apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of Salvia mirzayanii were investigated. Study of the effect of this plant on activated human peripheral blood lymphocytes showed stimulatory effects at lower concentrations and inhibitory effects at higher ones (p < 0.01). In flow cytometry analysis, accumulation of apoptotic cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle of the mitogen-treated lymphocytes exposed to the inhibitory doses of the extract was observed. DNA fragmentation analysis of these cells showed a typical DNA laddering. Immunisation of extract-treated mice with the antigen decreased delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction as well as the antibody titre at higher concentrations (p < 0.007). These results indicated the presence of immunomodulatory compounds in the extract of S. mirzayanii and suggest that the induction of apoptosis in lymphocytes might be the mechanism responsible for the inhibitory effect of the extract that was observed at higher concentrations.