Echinacea Purpurea Preparation Research Articles

1081. Parthenium integrifolium L.: Compositae

SummaryThe North American Prairie plant, Parthenium integrifolium L. (Compositae: Heliantheae: Ambrosiinae) is described and illustrated. Related genera in the subtribe are commented on, as well as the better‐known species, P. argentatum A. Gray, the Guayule Rubber Plant, and infrageneric taxonomy within Parthenium L., in addition to the characteristics of the genus. Aspects of cultivation, propagation, pests and diseases and availability for P. integrifolium are also noted. A full synonymy of this rather variable species is provided, together with type citations, locations of known types, and related commentary. The distribution, habitat and ecology, phenology, common names and conservation status are stated or discussed, together with comments on usage, and the species' roots being used as an adulterant in preparations of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.

Interaction of Phytocompounds of Echinacea purpurea with ABCB1 and ABCG2 Efflux Transporters.

Preparations of Echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea) are widely used for the management of upper respiratory infections, influenza, and common cold, often in combination with other conventional drugs. However, the potential of phytochemical constituents of E. purpurea to cause herb-drug interactions via ABCB1 and ABCG2 efflux transporters remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of E. purpurea-derived caffeic acid derivatives (cichoric acid and echinacoside) and tetraenes on the mRNA and protein expression levels as well as on transport activity of ABCB1 and ABCG2 in intestinal (Caco-2) and liver (HepG2) cell line models. The safety of these compounds was investigated by estimating EC20 values of cell viability assays in both cell lines. Regulation of ABCB1 and ABCG2 protein in these cell lines were analyzed after 24 h exposure to the compounds at 1, 10, and 50 μg/mL. Bidirectional transport of 0.5 μg/mL Hoechst 33342 and 5 μM rhodamine across Caco-2 monolayer and profiling for intracellular concentrations of the fluorophores in both cell lines were conducted to ascertain inhibition effects of the compounds. Cichoric acid showed no cytotoxic effect, while the EC20 values of tetraenes and echinacoside were 45.0 ± 3.0 and 52.0 ± 4.0 μg/mL in Caco-2 cells and 28.0 ± 4.3 and 62.0 ± 9.9 μg/mL in HepG2 cells, respectively. In general, the compounds showed heterogeneous induction of ABCB1 with the strongest 3.6 ± 1.2-fold increase observed for 10 μg/mL tetraenes in Caco-2 cells (p < 0.001). However, the compounds did not induce ABCG2. None of the phytocompounds inhibited significantly net flux of the fluorophores across Caco-2 monolayers. Overall, tetraenes moderately induced ABCB1 but not ABCG2 in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells while no compound significantly inhibited activity of these transporters at clinically relevant concentration to cause herb-drug interactions.

In vitro virucidal activity of Echinaforce\xae, an Echinacea purpurea preparation, against coronaviruses, including common cold coronavirus 229E and SARS-CoV-2

BackgroundCoronaviruses (CoVs) were long thought to only cause mild respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in humans but outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-1, and the recently identified SARS-CoV-2 have cemented their zoonotic potential and their capacity to cause serious morbidity and mortality, with case fatality rates ranging from 4 to 35%. Currently, no specific prophylaxis or treatment is available for CoV infections. Therefore we investigated the virucidal and antiviral potential of Echinacea purpurea (Echinaforce®) against human coronavirus (HCoV) 229E, highly pathogenic MERS- and SARS-CoVs, as well as the newly identified SARS-CoV-2, in vitro.MethodsTo evaluate the antiviral potential of the extract, we pre-treated virus particles and cells and evaluated remaining infectivity by limited dilution. Furthermore, we exposed cells to the extract after infection to further evaluate its potential as a prophylaxis and treatment against coronaviruses. We also determined the protective effect of Echinaforce® in re-constituted nasal epithelium.ResultsIn the current study, we found that HCoV-229E was irreversibly inactivated when exposed to Echinaforce® at 3.2 μg/ml IC50. Pre-treatment of cell lines, however, did not inhibit infection with HCoV-229E and post-infection treatment had only a marginal effect on virus propagation at 50 μg/ml. However, we did observe a protective effect in an organotypic respiratory cell culture system by exposing pre-treated respiratory epithelium to droplets of HCoV-229E, imitating a natural infection. The observed virucidal activity of Echinaforce® was not restricted to common cold coronaviruses, as both SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoVs were inactivated at comparable concentrations. Finally, the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 was also inactivated upon treatment with 50μg/ml Echinaforce®.ConclusionsThese results show that Echinaforce® is virucidal against HCoV-229E, upon direct contact and in an organotypic cell culture model. Furthermore, MERS-CoV and both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 were inactivated at similar concentrations of the extract. Therefore we hypothesize that Echinacea purpurea preparations, such as Echinaforce®, could be effective as prophylactic treatment for all CoVs due to their structural similarities.

Comparison of Two Spectrophotometric Methods for Quantifying Total Hydroxycinnamic Acids in Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Preparations

Comparison of Two Spectrophotometric Methods for Quantifying Total Hydroxycinnamic Acids in Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Preparations

HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THYMUS IN TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL STAFILOKOKKOSIS USING COMBINATION OF PHLORONE AND ROOT EXTRACT OF ECHINACEA PURPUREA

Application of Echinacea purpurea preparation both with Florfenicol resulted positively on the morphological level with immunoprotective effect. Positive dynamics is acknowledged by full morphogenesis of thymus bodies during both studied experiment periods and absence of accidental involution signs that manifest at maximum in chickens’ thymuses of the second group.

Immune Enhancing Effects of Echinacea purpurea Root Extract by Reducing Regulatory T Cell Number and Function

Echinacea purpurea preparations (EPs) have been traditionally used for the treatment of various infections and also for wound healing. Accumulating evidence suggests their immunostimulatory effects. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to play a key role in immune regulation in vivo. However, there have been no reports so far on the effects of EP on the frequency or function of Tregs in vivo. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the quantitative and functional changes in Tregs by in vivo administration with EP. The frequencies of CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25+ Tregs in the spleens of BALB/c mice administered with EP for 3 weeks were investigated by flow cytometry. The suppressive function of CD4CD25+ Tregs in association with the proliferative activity of CD4+CD25 effector T cells (Teffs) and the feeder function of CD4 antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were analyzed by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester-dilution assay. The results showed a lowered frequency of CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25+ Tregs and attenuated suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ Tregs, while the feeder function of APCs was enhanced in the EP-administered mice. On the other hand, the proliferative activity of Teffs was not significantly different in the EP-administered mice. The results suggest that decreased number and function of Tregs, in association with the enhanced feeder function of APCs, may contribute to the enhancement of immune function by EP.

Echinacea—A Source of Potent Antivirals for Respiratory Virus Infections

Extracts of Echinacea species have been used traditionally in North America for the control of symptoms of colds, influenza, and other diseases, and some of them have become very popular as “herbal medicines”. Recent studies have revealed that preparations derived from certain species and plant parts, but not all of them, possess potent antiviral activities, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, particularly against membrane-containing viruses. Thus all strains of human and avian influenza viruses tested (including a Tamiflu-resistant strain), as well as herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinoviruses, were very sensitive to a standardized Echinacea purpurea preparation. In mechanistic studies the influenza virus-specific hemagglutinin and neuraminidase were inhibited. In addition some extracts displayed anti-inflammatory activity in virus-infected cells, and numerous other effects on the expression of cellular genes. Multiple components, either discrete compounds or mixtures, appeared to be responsible for the various antiviral activities.

Biological Effects of Echinacea Purpurea on Human Blood Cells

The aim of this study was to investigate radioprotective properties of Echinacea purpurea tablets in vivo. We analysed lymphocyte chromosome aberrations (CA), micronuclei (MN), apoptosis of leukocytes and haematological parameters in a group of radiation workers who were identified as carrying dicentric chromosomes in their lymphocytes. All radiation workers were taking two 275 mg Echinacea tablets b.i.d., according to a pharmacist's recommendation. All parameters were analysed before and after the two-week treatment. At the end of the treatment lymphocyte CA frequency dropped significantly, and the number of apoptotic cells increased. The inverse lymphocyte-to-granulocyte ratio at the beginning of the study changed to normal at its end. In conclusion, biological effects observed after administration of Echinacea purpurea preparation suggest that it may be beneficial for the prevention of adverse health effects in workers exposed to ionising radiation.

Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine

1. Cecilia Bukutu, PhD* 2. Christopher Le, BSc* 3. Sunita Vohra, MD, FRCPC, MSc* 1. *Complementary and Alternative Research and Education (CARE) Program, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine Caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, the “common cold” has no known cure and is responsible for considerable illness, including symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough; visits to the doctor; absenteeism from school and work; and economic loss. (1) Therefore, alternative treatments, including the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), are of substantial interest to patients seeking symptomatic relief. This review examines popular CAM therapies used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold in children. It is limited to the following modalities: natural health products, hydrotherapy, and mind-body interventions. Natural health products (which include herbals, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, homeopathic remedies, and traditional medicines) are used widely for the prevention, treatment, and relief of various conditions, as well as for the promotion of personal well-being. ### Echinacea Commercially available echinacea ( Echinacea purpurea ) preparations vary by type (species), plant part (root, herb, or both), and method of manufacture. (2) Linde and associates (3) reviewed 19 clinical trials examining the effectiveness of different echinacea preparations for preventing (n=3) and treating (n=16) the common cold in adults and children. Echinacea had no effect in preventing the common cold, but in 9 of 16 treatment trials, it had a significant effect compared with the control in reducing cold symptoms in adults, although evidence regarding efficacy in children was unclear. (3) Two studies have investigated the efficacy and safety of echinacea in the prevention and treatment of colds in pediatric patients. The first was an Israeli randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which 430 children (ages 1 to 5 years) received an herbal preparation containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis (a natural resin created by bees), and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C or placebo over a 12-week period during the winter. (4) Children in the intervention …

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of Echinacea purpurea preparations and their interaction with the immune system

Echinacea is a widely used herbal remedy for the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Recently, many new insights concerning the molecular mode of action of the main lipophilic constituents, the alkamides, have renewed interest in this plant. In order to compare the bioavailability of alkamides from liquid and tablet preparations of E. purpurea (Echinaforce) in humans and to study the effects on ex vivo stimulated blood cells, a randomized, single-dose, crossover study with 10 (8 test, 2 placebo) volunteers has been performed. They received either 4 ml of the standardized E. purpurea (Echinaforce) tincture or 12 E. purpurea (Echinaforce) tablets or placebo. Both doses contained the same amount (0.07 mg) of the major alkamides, dodeca-2E,4E,8Z, 10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides. Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry was used to determine the content of alkamides in serum. It was found that the arithmetic mean C(max) of dodeca-2E,4E, 8Z,10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides absorbed after oral application of the Echinaforce tincture appeared after 30 min (0.40 ng/ml serum). In comparison, the t(max) of tablets was 45 min with a C(max) of 0.12 ng/ml. An ex vivo stimulation of blood by LPS was carried out to measure the influence of E. purpurea on the innate and adaptive immune system. Both E. purpurea preparations led to the same effects on the immune system according to the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-8. 23 hours after oral application a significant down-regulation of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in LPS pre-stimulated whole blood was found. However, no significant changes in the concentration of IL-6 were observed. Although a quarter of the dodeca-2E,4E,8Z, 10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides was absorbed from the tablets, the study shows that the formulations trigger the same effects on the measured immune parameters.

Effect of oral administration of freshly pressed juice of Echinacea purpurea on the number of various subpopulations of B- and T-lymphocytes in healthy volunteers: Results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study

In a recent double-blind placebo-controlled crossover-study the "immune stimulatory" effects (activation of macrophages leading to enhanced phagocytosis and production of several cytokines) of Echinacea purpurea preparations (EPP) which were observed in vitro experiments and following parenteral administration could not be confirmed following oral application of the drug in healthy volunteers. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not oral EPP has any effect on important lymphocyte-subpopulations. Forty healthy male volunteers (age range 20-40 years) participated in the study. They received either a commercially available pressed juice of E. purpurea herbs or placebo juice using a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design with two treatment periods of 14 days. The total number of lymphocytes and 12 subgroups of lymphocytes were determined by using Flow-cytometry. After 1 week of treatment with verum the mean value of the total number of lymphocytes decreased slightly (-6%, p = 0.033) compared to the initial value. Treatment for 1 and 2 weeks with EPP had only minor effects on two of the 12 subtypes of lymphocytes. No significant changes were observed in the verum period for the following types of cells: T- and B-lymphocytes, CD4 + - and CD8 + -T-lymphocytes including the subgroups of "naive" and "memory" CD4 + - and CD8 + -T-lymphocytes as well as the natural killer cells. Using a modified version of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney-U-test, which is claimed to be optimal for the evaluation of the results of studies with a cross-over design, a significant difference was found for the number of CD8 + -T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells corresponding to either a decrease during treatment with verum or an increase in the number of these cells in the placebo period. Oral administration of EPP for 1 and 2 weeks has only minor effects on two out of 12 lymphocyte subpopulations determined in the study. The small differences observed in the number of CD8 + -T lymphocytes and natural killer cells are only of questionable physiological relevance.

Early intervention with an Echinacea purpurea preparation for treating the common cold shows promising results

Early intervention with an <i>Echinacea purpurea</i> preparation for treating the common cold shows promising results

Cytokine production by non-adherent mouse splenocyte cultures to Echinacea extracts

Background: Echinacea is commonly used in oral dosage as an immune stimulant to increase resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal infections of the upper respiratory tract. It has been suggested that Echinacea is able to stimulate innate immune responses, including those regulated by macrophages and natural killer cells. Indeed, macrophages respond to purified polysaccharide and alkylamide preparations. However, the mechanisms for stimulation of cells responsible for adaptive immunity have not been fully elucidated for other molecules present in Echinacea purpurea preparations. Methods: Adherent and non-adherent mouse splenocyte populations were incubated in vitro with Echinacea, or with water or alcohol soluble Echinacea extract preparations. Supernatants were collected at 48-h post-incubation, and tested by standard ELISA for presence of secreted cytokines and proinflammatory mediators. Results: Whole splenocyte populations were capable of producing significant amounts IL-6 (1014 pg/ml) in response to Echinacea preparations. The response was primarily contained towards products isolated to the water extract preparation; no IL-6 was produced upon challenge with the alcohol extract. The IL-6 response was produced by the non-adherent cellular population, which made 4912 pg/ml IL-6 when treated with water soluble extract at 1 mg/ml. Likewise, the water soluble extract of Echinacea was able to stimulate non-adherent splenocyte populations to produce TNF-α (2082 pg/ml), IL-10 (892 pg/ml) and MIP-1α (6486 pg/ml) from non-adherent splenocytes, but only significant concentrations of TNF-α and MIP-1α mediators were produced from adherent populations at similar dose concentrations. Neither population of splenocytes was capable of stimulating significant production of IFN-γ, IL-2 or IL-12 to any preparation of Echinacea examined. Conclusions: The immune stimulatory ability of components contained within E. purpurea extracts offer insight into possible therapeutic potential of this product to regulate non-adherent lymphocytes in immune responses and activation events.

Dietary supplementation with Echinacea and development of immunity to challenge infection with coccidia.

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary supplementation with 0.1% and 0.5% ground root preparations of Echinacea purpurea (EP; common name: purple cone flower) on the development of immunity following live vaccination and subsequent challenge with multiple coccidia species in an experimental model using a commercial live vaccine preparation. Effects of immunization and EP supplementation on weight gains before challenge, and weight gains, lesion scores and plasma levels of carotenoids and NO2-+NO3- following challenge were determined. In this experiment, combined live vaccination and feed supplementation with 0.1% or 0.5% EP during the first 2 weeks of life provided significant weight gain advantage compared to live vaccination alone. This advantage persisted through 2 weeks of EP withdrawal and subsequent challenge infection. EP supplementation also significantly lowered total lesion scores but did not significantly modify the effects of vaccination and challenge on plasma carotenoids or NO2-+NO3-.

Simultaneous analysis by high performance liquid chromatography of hydrophilic compounds and lipophilic compounds (alkamides) from pharmaceutical preparations ofEchinacea purpurea root

The two major classes of compound (hydrophilic and lipophilic) fromEchinacea purpurea L. Moench, responsible for the immunostimulating effect of the plant, have usually been determined by two different methods. This paper describes simultaneous analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of hydrophilic compounds and lipophilic compounds (alkamides) from pharmaceutical preparations ofEchinacea purpurea root. A linear binary gradient, at a flow of 1 mL min1, starting with 1.9 acetonitrile-weter (both containing 0.1% orthophosphoric acid) and ending with 8.2 acetonitrile-water (both containing 0.1% orthophosphoric acid) after 50 min was optimized for separation of the compounds. Hydrophilic compounds were separated in the first 25 min and the lipophilic compounds between 25 and 50 min. The compounds were identified on the basis of correlation of retention times and spectral data. The external standard method was used for quantitative analysis.

When is a Food a Medicine?

There is an upsurge of interest in functional foods (‘nutraceuticals’), but is their use to replace real medicines justified? Before we can address this issue we must question why people appear more interested in these potential remedies than they did a decade or two ago. An idealist’s answer might be that they cure ills without the adverse effects of conventional medicines and the need to visit the doctor. This hypothesis is almost certainly wrong! My cynical viewpoint is far more likely to explain their popularity, namely that advertising is making people think that functional foods work and that they are worth buying. All of this is just about to change as legislation around the world places anything with a medicinal claim firmly into the medicines camp. So if preparations of Echinacea purpurea (Purple Cone Flower from the American prairies) have the merest sniff of a claim to treat colds and influenza they will be considered medicines and not foods. At the moment in New Zealand there is a successful industry producing these, and other plants and their extracts. They are used to enhance the functionality of foods, or for export to other countries as components of herbal remedies which might be classified as either foods or medicines according to the regulations of the particular country. Echinacea is a good example because it contains numerous phenolics that might well have pharmacological activity. Indeed, the purified phenolics have been shown to have effects in isolated cells and in in vitro systems. However, simple randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials have shown equivocal efficacy with respect to an enhanced phagocytosis endpoint; three of the five studies showed no efficacy.[1] This might simply be a dose effect, but it points to the need for dose relationship efficacy studies with standardised test material. Preparations of the herb are said to stimulate the immune system (possibly by enhancing phagocytosis) and so prevent cold, flu and minor infections. Yoghurt containing Echinacea is available in supermarkets in New Zealand (and elsewhere), it is claimed to ‘enhance the body’s ability to resist infection’ and to be ‘prized for its antibiotic properties’. But are these claims true? The honest answer is that we don’t know because they have not been tested in proper clinical trials, because Echinacea is regarded as a food and foods do not need to undergo clinical trials before they are marketed. But surely these are medicinal claims. The New Zealand Medicines Act 1981 defines a medicine as something having a ‘therapeutic purpose’ and for use in ‘treating or preventing disease’. In my opinion, the Echinacea yoghurt pot labels fall within the Medicines Act definition. The world is waking up to this conundrum and Regulatory Authorities are grappling with the problems of medicinal claims and unconventional medicines. This will have a major impact on the nutraceutical and functional food industries. I suspect that either the foods (or are they medicines?) will disappear, or the medicinal claims will be removed from their labels because of the enormous cost of generating toxicological and efficacy data. New Zealand has introduced an Advertisement Pre-Vetting Service run by the Advertising Standards Authority and Medsafe, through which all advertisements for ‘fringe’ medicines must pass before the media will publish them. This is an excellent quality assurance system that helps to protect the consumer of these products. Despite this, advertisement vetting cannot replace toxicological and efficacy assessment. Surely the time is right for the manufacturers of ALL medicines, even if they prefer to call them foods, to have to support their claims with real science. And if they are not prepared to test their claims they should withdraw them.

Standardization of Echinacea purpurea Expressed Juice with Reference to Cichoric Acid and Alkamides

ABSTRACT HPLC methods are described for the determination of cichoric acid and alkamides (dodecatetraenoic acid isobutylamides) with an aim towards standardization of Echinacea purpurea preparations prepared from expressed juice. Analysis of commercial samples reveals the present quality status of a selection of these preparations. Regarding alkamides, the content ranges from 0.1 to 1.8 mg/ml. The content of cichoric acid varies more dramatically (0.0–0.4%) likely due to inconsistent inhibition of the enzymatic degradation of cichoric acid.