Abstract

Two herbal extracts, Centella asiatica, Echinacea purpurea, and oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, which have been used as folk medicine in Asia, America and Australia respectively, were administered to Balb/c mice and evaluated for their ex vivo ability to influence in vitro proliferative, and in vivo local graft-versus-host activity of splenic lymphocytes ( cutaneous angiogenesis test, LIA). Significant stimulatory effect of Centella on lymphocyte proliferative response and inhibitory on splenocytes angiogenic activity was observed. Echinacea enhanced lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of low and intermediate concentration of mitogen only, G-V-H splenocytes activity was stimulated by Echinacea. Inhalations of mice with Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil resulted in suppression of splenocytes proliferative activity, except intermediate concentration of mitogen after shorter exposition to oil, where stimulation was observed. Tea tree oil enhanced angiogenic activity of splenocytes.