تأثیر عصاره هیدروالکلی ریشه‌ی گیاه ثعلب (Dactylorhiza maculata) بر برخی شاخص‌های خونی و پروتئین‌های سرم در موش‌های صحرایی سالم

Introduction: Members of the orchid family (Orchidaceae) are known for their immunomodulatory and hematological effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Dactylorhiza maculata (DM) root on peripheral blood cells and serum proteins in healthy rats.
Methods: Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats (180–200 g) were randomly divided into six groups: control, sham (solvent), and four extract-treated groups (doses of 80, 160, 320, and 640 mg/kg for 28 days by gavage). On the 29th day, blood samples were collected for hematological parameters including Red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, red blood cell indices, and WBC differential count. Serum protein levels were also measured.
Results: DM root extract at a dose of 640 mg/kg significantly increased hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count (P<0.05). The extract at doses of 320 and 640 mg/kg significantly increased Mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Total WBC count was not affected, but significant changes were observed in the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Platelet counts and serum protein levels did not show significant changes.
Conclusion: The findings indicated that DM root extract, especially at high doses, may increase erythropoiesis and modulate immune cell distribution, without significantly affecting total WBC count or serum protein levels. Given the lack of phytochemical analysis in the present study, definitive confirmation of these effects and identification of the responsible compounds require further studies.