Context: Phytopharmacology is a complex but very promising research area. The different plant parts and extraction methods may result in opposed effects. Phlomis species have been reported for both anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. Objective: The effect of Phlomis lanata Willd. (Lamiaceae) protein extracts on immune cell reactivity was studied in the experimental mouse model. Materials and methods: Protein extracts from P. lanata aerial parts were fractionated by Q-sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and applied to whole spleen cells or T-cell subsets at 5 mg/ml. Cell growth and cytokine production were evaluated after 4 and 2 d of culture using 3 H-thymidine-uptake and ELISA techniques, respectively. Results: Among the protein fractions tested, column wash proteins (W1) and the fraction eluted using 600 mM NaCl (F6) reduced by 76% and increased by 78% spleen cell proliferation, respectively. W1 suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells, but stimulated the growth of suppressor/regulatory cells by 62-148%. Although W1 stimulated IL-2 and IL-10 production from total spleen cells, it significantly increased IL-10 (50%) and reduced IL-2 (30-50%) production from T-cells, while TNF-a release was enhanced in CD25 + CD4 + by 92% and reduced by 50% in CD25 + CD8 + cells. F6 stimulated whole spleen cell growth, reduced proliferation of CD8 + and CD25 + cells by approximately 50%, while decreasing by 60-80% TNF-a production from CD25À and CD25 + CD8 + cells. Discussion and conclusion: The suppressive activity of W1 could be attributed to IL-10 and TNF-a, while the stimulatory effect of F6 could be attributed to the inhibition of T-regulatory cells. In the same plant, coexisting protein fractions induce both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities.