Abstract
<jats:p>This study evaluated the protective effects of Stachys sieboldii and Stevia rebaudiana extracts on bone marrow and spleen cells in rats subjected to a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet. Prepubertal Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (control, HFHS, HFHS+Stachys, HFHS+Stevia) and maintained for 30 days. Spleen and bone-marrow cellularity and cell viability were quantified. The HFHS diet increased the proportion of non-viable cells and reduced nucleated-cell counts in both organs. Stachys primarily enhanced splenic immune-cell proliferation (higher nucleated-cell concentration), whereas Stevia produced a stronger cytoprotective response, reducing the fraction of dead cells in bone marrow. Taken together, these findings suggest complementary actions: Stachys acts as a pro-proliferative modulator of splenic immune cells, while Stevia protects hematopoietic cells from HFHS-induced damage. These results highlight the potential of these plant extracts as dietary components for supporting immune and hematopoietic function and provide a basis for their further investigation in preventive and immunomodulatory applications.</jats:p>