Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
III. International Agricultural, Biological & Life Science Conference, Edirne, Türkiye, 1 - 03 Eylül 2021, ss.211
European elder (Sambucus nigra) is distributed in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is used in
traditional treatments as diaphoretic, diuretic, astringent, emollient, and emetic. At the same
time, health support products containing S. nigra are offered for sale in pharmacies. Many
studies have shown that the fruits of S. nigra are antioxidant and anticarcinogenic. Its effects
on cardiovascular diseases and its anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated in
clinical trials. The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) is a preferred model organism in
immunity studies because its innate immunity characteristics have similarities with mammals.
This invertebrate model organism is preferred for research with human pathogens because it
survives at 37ºC and the data obtained from G. mellonella are comparable to mammalian
models. This study was carried out to determine the effect of S. nigra on the total hemocyte
count of the model organism G. mellonella. Dried S. nigra fruits taken from herbalists were
extracted with 70% ethanol in a soxhlet device. The stock solution was prepared by dissolving
the extract in distilled water (DW) at a rate of 500 mg mL-1. 500 to 5 mg mL-1 dilutions of this
stock solution were determined as experimental doses. According to the results of our study, it
was determined that S. nigra increased the hemocyte count significantly compared to the control
and DW groups at doses of 25 mg mL-1 and above. Whether this increase in hemocyte count
is due to a mutagenic effect or to stimulating immune responses should be clearly demonstrated.
According to these data, the effects of S. nigra fruit extract, which causes an increase in
hemocyte count at all doses, on immunity should be examined in more detail.