STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF ECHINACEA EXTRACT UPON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BLOOD CELLS AT YOUNG CHICK EMBRYO

Echinacea is used as an immune enhancer to increase the resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal infections. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence that Echinacea has on the development of the different types of blood cells of the chick embryo. There were incubated 60 eggs which were treated with Echinacea diluted solution in the 9th day of incubation. The control group was treated with Chick Ringer. In the following 5 days since the treatment was applied, it was collected the blood and then there were made the smears. At this age, no white blood cells were found. The analysis of the red blood cells showed that Echinacea extract does not significantly influence the development of the red blood cells.