Induction of Antioxidant Enzyme Activity by Sandy Everlasting (Helichrysum arenarium) in Galleria mellonella

Helichrysum arenarium (L.), which spreads in a wide geography between European and Asia, is a medicinal plant mostly used in detoxification and digestive system diseases in that region. The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is preferred as an invertebrate model organism in many studies to understand the effects of many disease factors, including human pathogens, treatments developed against them, and innate immunity. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of H. arenarium extracts, which were previously determined to be effective on G. mellonella cell-mediated immune responses, on G. mellonella hemolymph antioxidant enzymes. For this purpose, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase activities and malondialdehyde levels in hemolymph collected after injection of H. arenarium extracts into G. mellonella hemocoel were determined. As a result of the study, it was determined that a 0.5% dose increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-s-transferase activities compared to the control. The determined dose had no effect on malondialdehyde formation. The findings showed that H. arenarium extracts had a positive effect on G. mellonella hemolymph antioxidant enzymes at a dose of a 0.5%, and that the same dose supported cell-mediated immunity in the previous study. Accordingly, it was concluded that 0.5% dose of H. arenarium extracts had a immunomodulatory effects on immunity.