RESUMO
Studies have demonstrated that plant extracts have various biological effects including immunomodulatory effect. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Lavandula officinalis on lymphocyte proliferation and tumor necrosis factor alpha cytokine production were investigated. [3H] - thymidine incorporation assay on stimulation of the peripheral lymphocytes with PHA and determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha production was assayed, using LISA method. The herbal extract in a concentration of 50 micro g/ml and lesser, in the presence of mitogen increased peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation. However, there was not significant effect in concentrations more than 50 micro g/ml. Also, the extract in the concentration of higher than 50 micro g/ml suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the exposed cells. The extract showed immunomodulatory effect by increasing of lymphocyte proliferation in a concentration of 50 micro g/ml and lesser. Also, decreasing in tumor necrosis factor alpha in the concentration of more than 50 micro g/ml was observed. Further studies, should focus on identifying the immunomodulatory mediator of this herbal extract