Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Activities of Dried Extracts of Echinacea Purpurea

Abstract The use of Echinacea purpurea (EP), a plant native from North America, is widely diffused throughout the world, presenting many pharmacological applications, mainly for the treatment of infections of respiratory and urinary tracts. Due to the widespread commercialization of EP-based products, an effective evaluation of their pharmacological properties is essential to assure efficacy during clinical use. In this study, in vitro tests were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of dried extracts of EP by the microdilution method. In addition, a phagocytosis model was employed to assess the immunomodulatory potential of the extracts. The increase in reactive oxygen species production, as well as the intracellular proliferation rate of Cryptococcus gatti after phagocytosis by macrophages in the presence of EP dried extracts were also evaluated. The analyzed samples showed no significant antibacterial activity; however, a slight antifungal activity was verified. Positive effects of EP extracts on the modulation of cellular immune response were observed in different experiments, indicating that this mechanism may contribute to the control and treatment of infections.

Effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea extract on immune deficiency induced by azathioprine in male albino rats

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea (E.P.) on azathioprine (AZA)-induced immune deficiency in albino rats. Thirty six male albino rats were divided into six equal groups. The first group served as normal control, the second and third groups were treated with two doses of AZA (3 and 5mg/kg/b.w/day IP), respectively for six weeks. The fourth group was treated with 50 mg kg/b.wt/day of Echinacea. The fifth and sixth groups were treated with3 and 5 mg AZAm respectively followed by50 mg E.P. administration. At the end of the experimental period, both doses of AZA revealed a significant reduction in total body and spleen weights, increase in tissue total protein with a significant increase in serum total protein and albumin, a marked decrease in the number of WBCS associated with a decrease in the number of lymphocytes, a significant decrease in serum total anti-oxidant capacity. Also,concentration of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) and interleukins (IL4 &IL6) showed a significant increase, while the level of IL10 decreased significantly in splenic tissue. The dose of AZA (5 mg /kg b.wt.) only resulted in a highly significant increase in serum level of T3 and T4. However, treatment with Echinacea purpurea extract had a significant influence on immune deficiency induced by azathioprine. These findings demonstrated that E.P. extract is a promising immunomodulatory agent with a potent therapeutic value in stimulating the immune response.

Co-cultured adventitious roots of Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation via MAPK pathway in mouse peritoneal macrophages / 中草药·英文版

Objective: In order to elucidate the biological activity of the co-cultured adventitious roots (ARs) of Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea and provide theoretical basis for its application, and the anti-inflammatory activities and potential mechanisms of co-cultured ARs were studied. Methods: The experimental materials were obtained by bioreactor co-culture technology and used in the activity research. In this study, mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as in vitro model. Different concentrations of AR extract (50–400 g/mL) were used to treat cells. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and the inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B-α levels were determined by the Western blot analysis. Results: In the co-cultured ARs, total flavonoids and total caffeic acid were determined, and the contents of both bioactive compounds were significantly higher than those ARs from the single-species culture. Compared with the control group, the large amount of pro-inflammatory mediators was released after LPS stimulation. However, in the extract groups with different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 g/mL), the production of these pro-inflammatory mediators was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the levels of phosphorylation of MAPK proteins, including p-p38, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p-extracellular regulated protein kinases were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the extract groups, revealing that the AR extract probably involved in regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggested that the co-cultured ARs of E. pallida and E. purpurea can inhibit production of pro-inflammatory mediators in mouse peritoneal macrophages and possess the anti-inflammatory effect by regulating MAPK signaling pathways.

Cichoric acid from extracted Echinacea purpurea induces the proliferation and apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from yaks

BACKGROUND: Cichoric acid (CA) is extracted from Echinacea purpurea. It is well known and widely used for its immunological function. However, the effect of CA on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from yaks is still unclear. This study investigated the potential influences of CA on the proliferation, cytokine induction, and apoptosis of PBMCs from Datong yak in vivo, and aimed to provide a basis for exploring the pharmacological activities of CA on yaks. RESULTS: In this study, CA promoted PBMCs proliferation by combining concanavalin A (Con A) and exhibited a dose-dependent effect as demonstrated by a Cell Counting Kit-8. The concentration of 60 µg/ml CA was the best and promoted the transformation from the G0/G1 phase to the S and G2/M phases with Con A. Furthermore, 60 µg/ml CA significantly increased IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-γ levels and PCNA, CDK4 and Bcl-2 expression levels, but it significantly inhibited the TP53, Bax, and Caspase-3 expression levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed a total of 6807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CA treatment and control groups. Of these genes, 3788 were significantly upregulated and 3019 were downregulated. Gene Ontology and pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in cell proliferation and immune function signaling pathways. The expression level of some transcription factors (BTB, Ras, RRM_1, and zf-C2H2) and genes (CCNF, CCND1, and CDK4) related to PBMCs proliferation in yaks were significantly promoted after CA treatment. By contrast, anti-proliferation-associated genes (TP53 and CDKN1A) were inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, CA could regulate the immune function of yaks by promoting proliferation and inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis of PBMCs.

Study on literature of Echinacea purpurea and discussion on its herbalization / 中国中药杂志

By consulting the literatures of foreign plant medicine Echinacea purpurea at home and abroad, this paper discusses the property and function of E. purpurea from the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine theory, so as to realize "herbalization", provide the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine for the correct clinical application and rational compatibility of E. purpurea, and broaden the scope and varieties of clinical selection of traditional Chinese medicine. Relevant literatures of E. purpurea were selected from PubMed and CNKI databases and classified based on clinical application, chemical composition, pharmacological action, toxic and side effects. Those with a high reliability were screened out, including 313 articles in English and 46 in Chinese. Finally, the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine was analyzed. In our view, E. purpurea features pungent and bitter tastes and a cold nature, and enters lung, spleen, heart meridians, with effects in evacuating wind-heat, clearing heat and detoxifying, invigorating Qi, strengthening body resistance, and treating wind-heat cold, sore throat swelling pain, cough, heat toxin stagnation, sore carbuncle swelling toxin, red swelling heat pain, body deficiency and multiple diseases, fatigue burnout. This paper analyzes the research literatures of E. purpurea, "herbalize" it, endows it with the property and function of traditional Chinese medicine, lays the foundation for further animal experiment and clinical research, and provides scientific theoretical guidance for the better application of E. purpurea in clinic and its proper compatibility and rational application. This research model will also provide reference for further studies of "traditional Chinese medicine" of foreign plant drugs, enrich traditional Chinese medicine resources, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Analysis of spontaneous adverse drug reactions to echinacea, valerian, black cohosh and ginkgo in Australia from 2000 to 2015 / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Assessing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is a proven method to estimate the safety of medicines. The ADRs to herbal medicines in Australia (and by inference, the safety of herbal medicines in Australia) remain unknown. This study examines spontaneous ADR cases to four of the most popular herbs in Australia from 2000 to 2015: echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba).@*METHODS@#ADRs of echinacea, valerian, black cohosh and ginkgo reported to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) between 2000 and 2015 were obtained from the TGA database. Data were collated and analysed according to age, sex, severity, type of ADR and body system affected. Statistics were calculated using GraphPad Prism software.@*RESULTS@#Most ADRs were mild or moderate. However, every herbal medicine was associated with life-threatening ADRs. In each life-threatening case, the herbal medicine was taken concomitantly with prescription medications. Black cohosh was associated with a significant number of severe ADRs (30.3% of the total), with 39.4% of these ADRs being associated with abnormal hepatic function, hepatitis or hepatotoxicity.@*CONCLUSION@#This study highlights the lack of public awareness with regard to herb-drug interactions, since most of the severe ADRs involved a herb-drug interaction.

Dynamic Determination of Active Ingredients in Introduced Echinacea purpurea / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to analyze the dynamic accumulation of active ingredients of Echinacea purpurea. Contents of cichoric acid and total polyphenols in different parts through the whole growth process were determined by HPLC and colorimetry. The results showed that the content of total polyphenol changed little in annual plant. There were differences in content of cichoric acid of different parts in different periods. And the content reached the maximum at flowering stage. It was concluded that the harvest stage depended on the content of cichoric acid. The results provided theoretical basis for induced plant in Shandong province.

High-potency Anti-influenza Therapy by a Combination of Echinacea purpurea fresh herb and root tinctures.

The medicinal plant Echinacea purpurea (EP) contains potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, which are believed to be responsible for the efficacy of such preparations in the treatment of colds and ‘flu. To determine to what extent the processes of drying, composition and extraction could affect this efficacy, different parts of fresh and dried EP plants: herb, root, flower heads and petals, were separately extracted and evaluated for activity against Influenza virus. Maximal activity was obtained from freshly extracted herb, while root extracts showed no such activity. The observed antiviral activity did not correlate with the total dry mass, or the cichoric acid, rutoside, total phenols or alkylamide content. The latter however appears to be responsible for the antiinflammatory effects of the root extracts. Thus, the parallel extraction of antiviral and anti-inflammatory substances from fresh EP herb and root could represent an optimized combination for the treatment of influenza infections.

The morphological markers of Different phenotypes Echinacea purpurea.

Analysis germplasm resources genetic diversity of different phenotypes Echinacea purpurea. The phenotypic trait data of different morphology samples were measured and the correlation coefficient calculation and cluster analysis were conducted. Different samples differed in many quantitative traits and fake quality traits; there were certain correlation between some morphological characters; samples growth in the same habitat clustered into a major category. Results provide a theoretical basis for preliminary judgment of germplasm field screening; growth environment may have a greater impact on the external form of Echinacea.

Anti-Influenza Virus Activities of Commercial Oregano oils and their Carriers.

Commercial Oregano oils with high concentrations of carvacrol have been vigorously promoted as antiviral agents effective against colds and ‘flu, including the pandemic H1N1 virus. However there seems to be no evidence to support these claims. Furthermore, since carvacrol itself is known to be toxic, so-called “carrier oils”, such as olive oil, have been included in formulations to ameliorate the potential toxic effects. We compared the antiinfluenza virus activity of several preparations, with and without “carriers”, and pure olive oil and carvacrol, by means of quantitative assays for H1N1 influenza virus, and for cytotoxicity in human lung epithelial cells. A range of concentrations was evaluated, including those relevant to consumer applications. All five Oregano oils showed significant antiviral activity, as did olive oil by itself, although their potencies were not comparable to a standardized preparation of Echinacea purpurea. Carvacrol was also very active, but it was also strongly cytotoxic. In addition all the Oregano oils were more cytotoxic than Echinacea purpurea. Thus certain commercial Oregano oils do possess anti-influenza virus activities, although these are less than a potent standardized Echinacea preparation, and furthermore the toxicity of the oils to lung epithelial cells, at doses relevant to consumer applications, is a limiting factor in their usefulness for oral applications.

Estudio del efecto inmunomodulador de la Equinácea purpúrea en pacientes con herpes labial recurrente / Imunomodulatory effects of Echinacea purpurea in patients with recurrent herpes labialis

Introducción: El Herpes Labial Recurrente supone una condición inmunológica alterada, tal como una hiperactividad de células T-reguladoras CD4+CD25+ (Treg). Éstas ejercen control sobre la tolerancia periférica y reducen el riesgo inmunopatológico, suprimiendo otras líneas celulares. Por ende, la supresión ejercida sobre la reacción inmune antiviral podría afectar negativamente el curso de la infección. Este contexto ha impulsado la búsqueda de nuevas alternativas inmunomoduladoras como la Equinácea purpúrea. Dada su propiedad inmunosupresora, se propone en el tratamiento del Herpes Labial Recurrente. Metodología: Estudio clínico prospectivo que analiza las subpoblaciones linfocitarias en 12 pacientes con Herpes Labial Recurrente, antes y después de recibir Equinácea purpúrea (30 gotas tres veces al día durante siete días).Resultados: En comparación con individuos sanos, los pacientes presentan una respuesta aumentada de células Treg. Esta condición se reduce significativamente tras recibir Equinácea purpúrea (515 + 145 y 432 + 113 cel/mm3 antes y después del tratamiento, respectivamente, p < 0,005). Conclusión: La hiperactividad de células Treg podría explicar el estado de inmunosupresión de estos pacientes y favorecería la persistencia viral. Se propone esta fitomedicina como una alternativa inmunoterapéutica beneficiosa.

Background: Recurrent Herpes Labialis patients may suffer from immunological alterations, such as CD4+CD25+Regulatory-T Cell (Treg) hyperactivity. These cells control peripheral tolerance and reduce immunopathology risk by suppressing other immunological cells. Hence, the Treg cell suppression on the antiviral immune reaction may perturb adversely the herpes infection outcome. This scenario has forced physicians to explore new immunomodulatory alternatives in Phytomedicine, such as Echinacea purpurea. Regarding the immunosuppressive property, it has been challenged to be employed in the Recurrent Herpes Labialis management. Methods: Clinical prospective study that analyzed lymphocytic subpopulation profile in twelve patients with Recurrent Herpes Labialis, before and after receiving E. purpurea (30 drops three times a day during seven days). Results: Comparing to healthy subjects, patients presented an enlarged Treg cell response. This condition became significantly reduced after receiving E. purpurea. (515 + 145 and 432 + 113 cel, before and after treatment respectively, p < 0.005). Conclusion: The intensified Treg cell activity may elucidate the immune suppression these patients undergo, aiding the viral persistence and survival. This proposes E. purpurea asa beneficial immunotherapeutic alternative.

Effect of Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) aqueous extract on antibody response to Bothrops asper venom and immune cell response

The effect of aqueous extract of Echinacea purpurea roots on the murine antibody response to Bothrops asper snake venom in vivo was studied. Three groups were used. Group #1, baseline control, was treated with snake venom plus PBS. Group #2 was treated with snake venom plus sodium alginate as adjuvant (routine method used at Instituto Clodomiro Picado), and group #3 or experimental group, was treated with snake venom plus aqueous extract ofE. purpurea root as adjuvant. In all groups, the first inoculation was done with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). By the time of the second bleeding, mice in group #3 showed a remarkable increment in the level of anti-venom antibodies compared with those in groups #1 or #2. In vitro immune cell proliferation as a response to aqueous extract of E. purpurea root was studied using human lymphocytes activated with different lectins (Con A, PHA and PWM). In all cases, increase in percentage of lymphoproliferation was greater when E. purpurea root extract was used in addition to individual lectins.

Phytotherapeutic effects of Echinacea purpurea in gamma-irradiated mice

Echinacea (E.) purpurea herb is commonly known as the purple coneflower, red sunflower and rudbeckia. In this paper, we report the curative efficacy of an Echinacea extract in gamma-irradiated mice. E. purpurea was given to male mice that were divided into five groups (control, treated, irradiated, treated before irradiation & treated after irradiation) at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight for 2 weeks before and after irradiation with 3 Gy of gamma-rays. The results reflected the detrimental reduction effects of gamma-rays on peripheral blood hemoglobin and the levels of red blood cells, differential white blood cells, and bone marrow cells. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) level, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSPx) activities and DNA fragmentation were also investigated. FT-Raman spectroscopy was used to explore the structural changes in liver tissues. Significant changes were observed in the microenvironment of the major constituents, including tyrosine and protein secondary structures. E. purpurea administration significantly ameliorated all estimated parameters. The radio-protection effectiveness was similar to the radio-recovery curativeness in comparison to the control group in most of the tested parameters. The radio-protection efficiency was greater than the radio-recovery in hemoglobin level during the first two weeks, in lymphoid cell count and TBARs level at the fourth week and in SOD activity during the first two weeks, as compared to the levels of these parameters in the control group.

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on yield and quality of Echinacea purpurea / 中草药

K. There was no significant difference in the yield among the treatments of N+K, CK, P, N+P, and N, but the results of these five treatments were significantly higher than that of P+K and K. In addition, cichoric acid content did not considerably changed after treatment of various fertilizer combinations. For the second harvest date the yield of N, N+K, P, and N+P were 47.7%, 35.4%, 33.8%, and 12.3% higher respectively than that of CK, the yield of N+P+K, P+K, and K were 7.7%, 10.8%, and 28.5% lower respectively than that of CK. There was significant difference in the yield between the treatment of N and CK, the yield of K was significantly lower than that of CK. Conclusion The results indicate that cichoric acid content is not significantly affected by the treatment of various fertilizer combinations and the yield is strongly influenced by N fertilizer, weakly by P fertilizer, on the contrary the application of potassium chloride results in a decrease in yield.

Determination of 2 caffeic acid derivatives in Echinacea extracts by RP-HPLC / 中成药

AIM: To estahlish a RP-HPLC method of determining two caffeic acid derivatives in Echinacea extract and to determine 5 Echinacea purpurea root extracts. METHODS: RP-HPLC was applied to determine 2 caffeic acid derivatives in E.purpurea extract:caftaric acid and chicoric acid.HPLC conditions were as follows: Agilent ZORBAX StableBond C_(18) column(5 ?m,4.6 mm?250 mm) was used,with A(acetonitrile) —B(0.1% H_3PO_4) gradient elution as a mobile phase.The flow rate was 1.2 mL/min.The detection wavelenth was set at 330 nm. RESULTS: 2 caffeic acid derivatives were separated well.The linear range for caftaric acid and chicoric acid were 0.064-0.416 ?g and 0.1-0.7 ?g,respectively.Its average recoveries were 99.37% with RSD of(1.50%) and 100.44% with RSD of 1.71%,respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is simple,accurate,strong specificity and can be used to control the quality of E.purpurea extract and new medicine development.