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 Aims: Angelica archangelica is one of the medicinal herbs in traditional medicine which is effective in hematopoiesis. In the present study, the effect of interperitoneal injection of Angelica archangelica root’s hydroalcoholic extract in different doses on the count of red and white blood cells, change in hemoglobin and hematocrit, mean globular volume, the average size of hemoglobin and the hemoglobin average weight ratio in the Balb/c mouse, were studied.

 Methods: In this experimental study, 40 mature Balb/c male mice were divided into control, placebo (with saline injection) and 3 treatment groups (injected with 50, 100 and 200mg/kg doses of Angelica archangelica root’s hydroalcoholic extract every other day for 20 days). Indices of red and white blood cells’ count, hematocrit and hemoglobin mean, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin average volume and hemoglobin average weight ratio were measured for each group separately. The results obtained were evaluated using SPSS 11.5 software and Duncan's one-way ANOVA test.

 Results: The average number of white blood cells in the first, second and third treatment groups was significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). The average number of white blood cells in the third group (200 mg/kg) was significantly higher than the other groups ( p<0.05 ). There was no significant difference between the mean of hematocrit, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH and MCHC of the groups (p>0.05).

 Conclusion: The extract of Angelica archangelica is effective in hematopoiesis process with the increase in the number of red blood cells and also with the increase in the number of white blood cells in the immune system support.

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Aims: Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L) is Iranian native and one of the most important vegetables in herbal medicine that has many properties such as anti-scurvy, treating intractable cough, blood purifier, a sedative for thirst, anti-fever, useful in healing burns as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of purslane herb extract on electrophoretic pattern of blood protein in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, to investigate the effects of extract of purslane on the blood protein levels in mice, 40 adult mice of Balb/C were selected and divided randomly into five groups of eight which were used for 20 days during the experiment. The groups included control and placebo, and three experimental groups receiving Hydro-alcoholic extract of Purslane were prepared in 50,100 and 200 mg/kg/doses of body weight. At the end of the experiment, all mice were bled and the immune system proteins and total protein levels were measured. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan. Results: Our results indicated that a significant decrease in albumin concentration at 50 mg/kg can be seen. The highest amount of total protein and concentration of alpha-2 belong to the group of 100mg/kg extract dose (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that purslane extract without antigenic stimulation could strengthen the immune system. On the other hand, the increase in serum globulins means that the purslane extract can have increasing impact on the activity of the immune system in mice.

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Aims: In traditional medicine, lavender is known as one of the effective herbal drugs on liver function, but so far, side effects of the lavender flower extract on liver biochemistry have not been studied. The aim of this study was to find the effect of lavender hydro-alcoholic extract on liver’s tissue and enzymes.

Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 50 mature female small mice were divided into 5 groups (each 10) control, placebo and 3 experimental groups. Placebo group received normal saline and treatment groups received the hydro-alcoholic extract of lavender in 50, 100, 200mg/kg doses 10 times every other day, interperitoneally. The levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) were measured and liver tissue was studied after 20 days. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and variance test.

Findings: ALT enzyme was increased significantly in 200mg/kg group comparing with the control group (p<0.05). The level of AST enzyme was decreased significantly in 100- and 200mg/kg groups and the ALP amount was decreased significantly in 200mg/kg group in proportion to control group (p<0.05). In histological studies, liver tissue of 50- and 100mg/kg did not show significant pathological changes but obvious pathological changes (necrotic tissue) was observed in liver tissue of 200mg/kg group.

Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic lavender extract causes reduction of AST and ALP enzymes in 100- and 200mg/kg doses, but the 200mg/kg dose results in severe liver tissue necrosis.