Inula helenium l. Root Extract in Sunflower Oil: Determination of its Content of Water-soluble Vitamins and Immunity-promoting Effect

The search for new biologically active products derived from local plant resources remains an important area of scientific research. This study focused on the chemical composition and immunomodulatory potential of the oil extract from Inula helenium L., a widely distributed perennial herb of the Asteraceae family. The analysis using (HPLC) identified several key water-soluble vitamins in the extract, with concentrations per gram as follows: B1 (0.0319 mg), B2 (0.9509 mg), B6 (0.6214 mg), B9 (1.8689 mg), and Vitamin C (0.2499 mg). The immunotropic activity of the oil extract was evaluated through a series of experiments in mice. The extract, administered intragastrically at 200 mg/kg, significantly increased macrophage counts in the peritoneal fluid, indicating a 1.6-fold rise compared to control. It also enhanced the cellularity of primary and secondary immune organs, including the thymus and spleen, with thymocyte and splenocyte counts rising by 1.3- and 1.7-fold, respectively, compared to healthy animals. Additionally, lymph node cellular content and mass increased, reflecting the extract’s positive effect on peripheral immunity. Notably, the extract boosted bone marrow cellularity with a promotion index (PI) of 1.7, surpassing that of reference immunostimulant drugs. These results indicate that the oil extract of Inula helenium L. has notable immunostimulatory effects and may be useful in creating immune-boosting therapies. Additional research is needed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved and assess the clinical effectiveness of this extract.