Onion peel water extracts enhance immune status in forced swimming rat model

• DOI: 10.5625/lar.2014.30.4.161
• Publication Date: 2014-12-27T00:04:03Z
• Authors: Hyun-A Lee; Sang-Jun Han; Sunhwa Hong; Dong-Woo Kim; Gi-Wook Oh; Okjin Kim
• Keywords: White blood cell

Onion peel contains a high concentration of quercetin and other flavonoids. In this study, the potential immune-enhancing effects an onion water extract (OPE) supplement were investigated by rat forced swimming test. OPE was prepared using hot water. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats fed pellet diet for 1 week then randomly divided into six groups: normal control (NC), (FSC), positive (quercetin 20 mg/kg), three groups administered 4, 20, or 100 mg/kg OPE. Oral drug administration conducted daily 4 weeks. All rats, except those NC group, to swim in considered exhausted when they failed rise surface breathe within 7-s period. Blood lymphocyte counts, immune organ weights, histopathological analysis, serum interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-12 levels determined. OPE-treated consumed more food had increased thymic cortex medulla ratio than that observed FSC group (P<0.05). The area white pulp spleens compared with Furthermore, blood numbers IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12 concentrations significantly higher OPE-fed These results suggest can improve status increasing number immune-related cells specific cytokine levels.