Cytoprotective and immunostimulatory properties of Stachys sieboldii and Stevia rebaudiana under metabolic stress in rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31489/2026feb1/32-43Keywords:
immunity, bone marrow, spleen, high-fat diet, HFHS, Stevia rebaudiana, Stachys sieboldiiAbstract
This study evaluated the protective effects of Stachys sieboldii and Stevia rebaudiana extracts on bone marrow and spleen cells in rats subjected to a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet. Prepubertal Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (control, HFHS, HFHS+Stachys, HFHS+Stevia) and maintained for 30 days. Spleen and bone-marrow cellularity and cell viability were quantified. The HFHS diet increased the proportion of non-viable cells and reduced nucleated-cell counts in both organs. Stachys primarily enhanced splenic immune-cell proliferation (higher nucleated-cell concentration), whereas Stevia produced a stronger cytoprotective response, reducing the fraction of dead cells in bone marrow. Taken together, these findings suggest complementary actions: Stachys acts as a pro-proliferative modulator of splenic immune cells, while Stevia protects hematopoietic cells from HFHS-induced damage. These results highlight the potential of these plant extracts as dietary components for supporting immune and hematopoietic function and provide a basis for their further investigation in preventive and immunomodulatory applications.
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