Echinacea Purpurea Research Articles

Plants and Plant-Derived Molecules as Natural Immunomodulators.

Background. Nowadays, the immunomodulatory properties of plants have been studied extensively with greater interest due to increasing awareness and combating the severity of immunomodulatory diseases. Scope and Approach. This paper highlights the efficacy of the available literature evidence on natural immunomodulators of plant origin and synthetic ones. In addition, several aspects of plants and their phytoconstituents responsible for immunomodulation have been discussed. Moreover, this review also discusses the mechanism involved in immunomodulation. Key Findings. One hundred fifty medicinal immunomodulatory plants are currently identified to find novel immunomodulatory drugs. Of these plants, the plant family Asteraceae also takes the first rank by offering 18 plant species (12%). Similarly of the plants studied so far, 40% belong to the Asteraceae family. Echinacea purpurea of this family is most known for its immunostimulating activity. The most prominent immune-active bioactive molecules are polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Also, eight plant bioactive immunomodulators were checked for clinical trials and found in the market. These are six immunosuppressants, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, quercetin, colchicine, capsaicin, and andrographolide, and two immunostimulants, curcumin and genistein. Nowadays, there are a lot of polyherbal traditional medicinal products sold in the market and claimed to their immunomodulators. However, much work is still needed to find more active immunomodulatory agents. The mechanism by which immunomodulatory medicinal plant exert their effect is through the induction of cytokines and phagocyte cells and the inhibition of iNOS, PGE, and COX-2 synthesis.

Assessment of Echinacea purpurea and/ or Green coffee extracts fortified Edible coating on enhancement of microbiological, physic-chemical and sensory quality of chicken meat fillet

Assessment of Echinacea purpurea and/ or Green coffee extracts fortified Edible coating on enhancement of microbiological, physic-chemical and sensory quality of chicken meat fillet

Microclonal reproduction of Echinacea purpurea as a way of recovering plants from diseases

Microclonal reproduction of Echinacea purpurea as a way of recovering plants from diseases

Evaluation of antibacterial efficacy and phytochemical analysis of Echinacea purpurea towards MDR strains with clinical origins

Evaluation of antibacterial efficacy and phytochemical analysis of Echinacea purpurea towards MDR strains with clinical origins

Productivity of the first year of vegetation pale purple coneflower (Echinacea palida (Nutt.) Nutt.) depending on seedling cultivation method

Productivity of the first year of vegetation pale purple coneflower (Echinacea palida (Nutt.) Nutt.) depending on seedling cultivation method

Non-toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect of extracts from Echinacea purpurea and Onopordum acanthium

Non-toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect of extracts from Echinacea purpurea and Onopordum acanthium

Trend of using herbal based preparations in pediatric skin inflammation disorders

Introduction: Skin inflammations that are more common and affect the pediatric age group more are rash, atopic dermatitis, fungal infections, psoriasis. The use of medicinal plants and herbal based preparations in the treatment of skin diseases, results from their impact on several stages of inflammation. The aim of this study was to review the information about the effects and anti-inflammatory activity, of medicinal plants and their preparations related to the treatment of most frequent skin inflammations in the pediatric age group, and to assess the trend of use of herbal remedies for these inflammations from our population. Methodology: For the realization of this descriptive and analytical study, multiple sources of information were used for the literature review, as well as through a random questionnaire conducted in a sample of 120 pharmacies in country. The data was collected from the pharmacists ‘responses and was analyzed specifically for the skin inflammations of pediatric age groups and the use of herbal preparations for the treatment of this disorders. Results: From the literature review the most frequent skin inflammations in the pediatric age group identified were rash, atopic dermatitis, fungal infections, folliculitis, furuncle, carbuncles. During the last years, among the medicinal plants mostly used locally for skin treatment are Matricaria Recutita, Calendula officinalis, Aloe Vera, Echinacea purpurea, Oenothera biennis, etc. From the completed questionnaire, a significant part of pharmacists (45%), reported that the most common skin inflammations in pediatric age presented in pharmacy are atopic dermatitis, rash for 17% of them, and fungal infections (12%). Regarding the way of using these preparations, 57% of them reported that they are used locally as combined therapy with the conventional one. Pharmacists reported that herbal preparations mostly used locally are those with Aloe Vera (31%), 13% of them reported those with Calendula officinalis and 5% of them reported preparations with Matricaria Recutita. Meanwhile, 48% of them reported that combined preparations of these herbs were used. Pharmacists are mostly the ones who suggest the use of these herbal based preparations (48.31%). Also, 65% of them think that the use of herbal based preparations for the treatment of skin inflammations in the pediatric age group has increased in recent years. Conclusions: Medicinal plants are rich with active ingredients and can be effective for the treatment of skin inflammations in the pediatric age group. As their use has increased in recent years, further research is needed regarding the efficacy, safety, optimal uses, and standardization of herbal preparations.

Echinacea purpurea against neuropathic pain: Alkamides versus polyphenols efficacy.

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy represents the main dose-limiting toxicity of several anticancer drugs, such as oxaliplatin, leading to chronic pain and an impairment of the quality of life. Echinacea purpurea n-hexane extract (EP4 -RE ; rich in alkamides) and butanolic extract (EP4 -RBU ; rich in polyphenols) have been characterized and tested in an in vivo model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, addressing the endocannabinoid system with alkamides and counteracting the redox imbalance with polyphenols. Thermal hypersensitivity was evaluated by the Cold Plate test. EP4 -RE showed a dose-dependent anti-hyperalgesic profile. The extract was more effective than its main constituent, dodeca-2 E,4 E,8Z,10 E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (18 mg kg-1 , twofold to equimolar EP4 -RE 30 mg kg-1 ), suggesting a synergy with other extract constituents. Administration of cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor-selective antagonist completely blocked the anti-allodynic effect of EP4 -RE , differently from the antagonism of CB1 receptors. EP4 -RBU (30 mg kg-1 ) exhibited anti-neuropathic properties too. The effect was mainly exerted by chicoric acid, which administered alone (123 μg kg-1 , equimolar to EP4 -RBU 30 mg kg-1 ) completely reverted oxaliplatin-induced allodynia. A synergy between different polyphenols in the extract had not been highlighted. Echinacea extracts have therapeutic potential in the treatment of neuropathic pain, through both alkamides CB2-selective activity and polyphenols protective properties.

Echinacea purpurea microbiota: bacterial-fungal interactions and the interplay with host and non-host plant species invitro dual culture.

Important evidence is reported on the antimicrobial and antagonistic properties of bacterial endophytes in Echinacea purpurea and their role in the modulation of plant synthesis of bioactive compounds. Here, endophytic fungi were isolated from E. purpurea, and the dual culture approach was applied to deepen insights into the complex plant-microbiome interaction network. In vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate the species specificity of the interaction between host (E. purpurea) and non-host (E. angustifolia and Nicotiana tabacum) plant tissues and bacterial or fungal endophytes isolated from living E. purpurea plants to test interactions between fungal and bacterial endophytes. A higher tropism towards plant tissue and growth was observed for both fungal and bacterial isolates compared to controls without plant tissue. The growth of all fungi was significantly inhibited by several bacterial strains that, in turn, were scarcely affected by the presence of fungi. Finally, E. purpurea endophytic bacteria were able to inhibit mycelial growth of the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. Bacteria and fungi living in symbiosis with wild Echinacea plants interact with each other and could represent a potential source of bioactive compounds and a biocontrol tool.

Ameliorative Effect of Ethanolic Echinacea purpurea against Hyperthyroidism-Induced Oxidative Stress via AMRK and PPAR Signal Pathway Using Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology Analysis.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) is a well-known botanical supplement with antioxidant characteristics. However, the effects of EP on oxidative stress induced by hyperthyroidism have not yet been studied. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidative effect of ethanolic Echinacea Purpurea (EEP) on hyperthyroidism-induced oxidative stress mice using an integrated strategy combining transcriptomics with network pharmacology analysis. Firstly, a hyperthyroidism mice model was induced via thyroxine (160 mg/kg) and EEP (1, 2, or 4 g/kg) once daily for 2 weeks. Body weight, thyroid-stimulating hormones, and oxidative stress markers were tested. Secondly, EEP regulating the potential genes at transcript level were analyzed. Thirdly, a network pharmacology based on the constituents of EEP identified using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis was adopted. Finally, a joint analysis was performed to identify the key pathway. The results showed that EEP significantly changed the thyroid-stimulating hormones and oxidative stress markers. Meanwhile, RT-qPCR and Western Blotting demonstrated that the mechanism of the antioxidant effect of EEP reversed the mRNA expression of EHHADH, HMGCR and SLC27A2 and the protein expression of FABP and HMGCR in AMPK and PPAR signaling pathways. This study integrates transcriptomics with network pharmacology to reveal the mechanism of ameliorative effect of EEP on hyperthyroidism-induced oxidative stress.

In vitro screening of anti-viral and virucidal effects against SARS-CoV-2 by Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea

Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea are reported to have antiviral activities against several viral infections. In this study, H. perforatum (St. John’s Wort) and Echinacea were tested in vitro using Vero E6 cells for their anti-viral effects against the newly identified Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) through its infectious cycle from 0 to 48 h post infection. The hypericin of H. perforatum and the different parts (roots, seeds, aerial) of two types of Echinacea species (Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia) were tested for their anti-viral activities to measure the inhibition of viral load using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on cell culture assay. Interestingly, the H. perforatum-Echinacea mixture (1:1 ratio) of H. perforatum and Echinacea was tested as well on SARS-CoV-2 and showed crucial anti-viral activity competing H. perforatum then Echinacea effects as anti-viral treatment. Therefore, the results H. perforatum and Echinacea species, applied in this study showed significant anti-viral and virucidal effects in the following order of potency: H. perforatum, H. perforatum-Echinacea mixture, and Echinacea on SARS-CoV-2 infectious cycle. Additionally, molecular simulation analysis of the compounds with essential proteins (Mpro and RdRp) of the SARS-CoV-2 revealed the most potent bioactive compounds such as Echinacin, Echinacoside, Cyanin, Cyanidin 3-(6''-alonylglucoside, Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, Proanthocyanidins, Rutin, Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and Quercetin-3-O-xyloside. Thus, based on the outcome of this study, it is demanding the setup of clinical trial with specific therapeutic protocol.

In Vitro Anti-Influenza Virus Activity of Non-Polar Primula veris subsp. veris Extract.

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as a tremendous source of candidate compounds for the development of pharmaceuticals, including anti-viral agents. Herein, we report the identification of anti-influenza virus activity in non-polar Primula veris L. subsp. veris extracts. We show that P. veris subsp. veris flower extracts, obtained using supercritical fluid or ultrasound-based extraction, possess virucidal/virus inactivation properties and confer prophylactic and therapeutic effects against influenza virus-induced cytolysis in vitro. By GC-MS and UPLC-HRMS analysis of non-polar P. veris subsp. veris extracts we identified terpenes, flavones, tocopherols, and other classes of phytochemicals with known or putative anti-influenza properties. In silico prediction of cellular functions and molecular pathways affected by these phytochemicals suggests putative effects on signal transduction, inflammasome, and cell death pathways that are relevant to influenza virus pathogenesis. Combining P. veris subsp. veris with extracts of medicinal plants with proven anti-influenza activity such as Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and Cistus creticus L. subsp. creticus achieves an impressive protective effect against infection by influenza virus H1N1 in vitro and reduced progeny virus production by infected cells. Collectively, these findings uncover a previously uncharted biological property of non-polar P. veris flower extracts that warrants further studies to assess clinical efficacy.

Effects of geographical location and environmental factors on metabolite content and immune activity of Echinacea purpurea in China based on metabolomics analysis

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, a well-known “immunostimulant” in the West, is one of the most popular plants. The quality and activity of plants are often affected by the environment in that they grow, such as geographical location, climate, and soil. This study reports levels of primary and secondary metabolites and immunomodulatory activity in different parts of E. purpurea from the main regions in which these species are cultivated in China. Metabonomics results showed that E. purpurea in different regions were separated into multiple clusters. Furthermore, the contents of 8 metabolites in E. purpurea differed among regions and parts and differences in immune signaling in macrophages were also observed, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NO. Correlation analyses and redundancy analyses revealed that these differences of E. purpurea were related to geographical location (latitude and longitude) and environmental variables (climate and soil). Precipitation and soil pH were important factors affecting the difference in metabolite contents and immune activity of E. purpurea . The most critical reason for the high immune activity of E. purpurea in Hunan may be due to the high precipitation and slightly acidic pH. The results showed that the metabonomics approach is a powerful strategy for assessing the quality of medicinal plants . Meanwhile, our study was of great significance in site selection and rational cultivation of E. purpurea . • Identification of metabolites in E. purpurea using NMR metabolomic. • Environmental factors had significant effects on the composition of E. purpurea. • High AP and slightly acidic pH may benefit E. purpurea quality. • AP affects E. purpurea quality by affecting chlorogenic acid, choline, 3,5-o-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and coumaric acid levels. • pH affects E. purpurea quality by regulating chicoric acid, acetate, choline, and 1,3-o-dicaffeoylquinic acid levels.

Improving the Production of Total Phenolics and Flavonoids and the Antioxidant Capacity of Echinacea purpurea Callus through Biotic Elicitation

Improving the Production of Total Phenolics and Flavonoids and the Antioxidant Capacity of Echinacea purpurea Callus through Biotic Elicitation

The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Development and Secondary Metabolite Production of Echinacea purpurea and Relatives (Asteraceae): Current Research Status and Perspectives

The cultivation of Echinacea purpurea for commerce and obtaining high-quality plant material on a large scale remain a challenge for growers. Another challenge for the following decades is to create sustainable agriculture that meets society’s needs, has no environmental impact, and reduces the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The aims of this overview were: (1) to present the importance of the chemical compounds reported in E. purpurea; (1) to synthesize results about cultivation of the E. purpurea with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and associated microorganisms; (2) to exemplify similar research with plants from the Asteraceae family, due to the limited number of published Echinacea studies; (3) to collect recent findings about how the inoculation with AMF affects gene expressions in the host plants; (4) to propose perspective research directions in the cultivation of E. purpurea, in order to increase biomass and economic importance of secondary metabolite production in plants. The AMF inocula used in the Echinacea experiments was mainly Rhizophagus irregularis. The studies found in the selected period (2012–2022), reported the effects of 21 AMFs used as single inocula or as a mixture on growth and secondary metabolites of 17 plant taxa from the Asteraceae family. Secondary metabolite production and growth of the economic plants were affected by mutualistic, symbiotic or parasitic microorganisms via upregulation of the genes involved in hormonal synthesis, glandular hair formation, and in the mevalonate (MVA), methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) and phenylpropanoid pathways. However, these studies have mostly been carried out under controlled conditions, in greenhouses or in vitro in sterile environments. Since the effect of AMF depends on the variety of field conditions, more research on the application of different AMF (single and in various combinations with bacteria) to plants growing in the field would be necessary. For the identification of the most effective synergistic combinations of AMF and related bacterial populations, transcriptomic and metabolomic investigations might also be useful.

Determining The Authenticity Of Immunacea Bio Tablets With Immunomodulatory Action

Modern pharmaceutical practices are characterized by a variety of available dosage forms, but among all dosage forms, tablets are a dominant form.
 This work is a dedicated determination of the authenticity of tablets developed based on raw materials of the medicinal plant Echinacea purpurea with immunomodulatory action. The purposeful preparation of drugs with immunomodulatory effects that are capable of nonspecifically stimulating the immune system and increasing the body's resistance to any pathogens is of particular importance.
 In this work, the optimal composition of excipients was selected to provide necessary quality indicators for the developed tablets; the quality of the proposed and selected composition of tablets based on dried E. purpurea juice was determined.
 The studied tablets called "Immunacea bio" are round, flat-cylindrical, and light brown in colour with patches and smell of vanillin.
 In terms of appearance, average weight and deviations from the average weight, disintegration, authenticity and microbiological purity, these tablets comply with regulatory documents. This article developed a method for determining the authenticity of active ingredients and excipients by thin-layer chromatography and determined optimal chromatography conditions, and developers of the active ingredients and excipients.

Are Plants Capable of Pheomelanin Synthesis? Gas Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Thermally Degraded Melanin Isolated from Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea is a widely used plant medicine, valued especially for its well-documented ability to stimulate the immune system. It has been suggested that melanin could be one of the bioactive factors responsible for the immunostimulatory properties of the plant. The biological functions of melanin pigments are closely related to their chemical composition and structural features. The aim of this study was to characterize the melanin from Echinacea purpurea based on the analysis of thermal degradation products of the well-purified pigment extracted from the dried herb. The melanin was pyrolyzed, and the resulting products were separated by gas chromatography and identified using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in full scan and multiple reaction monitoring modes. Three groups of marker products were detected in the melanin pyrolysate: polyphenol derivatives, nitrogen-containing heterocycles devoid of sulfur, and benzothiazines/benzothiazoles. This suggests that E. purpurea produces three structurally different melanin pigments: allomelanin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin, which in turn may affect the biological activity of the herb. Our results provide the first-ever evidence that plants are capable of synthesizing pheomelanin, which until now, has only been described for representatives of the animal and fungal kingdoms.

Modulatory Efficiency of Echinacea purpurea Extract on Hyperthyroidism Modeled Rats

Modulatory Efficiency of Echinacea purpurea Extract on Hyperthyroidism Modeled Rats

If You Grow It, They Will Come: Ornamental Plants Impact the Abundance and Diversity of Pollinators and Other Flower-Visiting Insects in Gardens

Gardening for pollinators and other flower-visiting insects, where ornamental landscaping plants are added to provide habitats and foraging resources, may provide substantial benefits to declining insect populations. However, plant recommendations often lack empirical grounding or are limited geographically. Here, we created a pollinator garden, replicated across two sites, that contained 25 ornamental landscape plants that were either native or non-native to mid-Atlantic states and perennial or annual. Our objective was to determine the plants that would bring insect abundance and diversity to gardens. We surveyed the number and taxonomy of insects visiting the plants for two summers. We found a significant effect of plant species on both the abundance and diversity of flower-visiting insects. Insects were 42 times more abundant on our most visited plant (black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia fulgida) versus our least visited plant (petunia, Petunia sp.). There was more than one diversity point difference in the Shannon index between the plant with the most (purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea) and least (verbena, Verbena bonariensis) diverse visitors. Across our plants, honey bee (Apis mellifera) abundance positively correlated with other insect pollinators, although not specifically with wild bee abundance. Native perennials outperformed non-native perennials and non-native annuals in insect abundance, and both non-native and native perennials attracted more diversity than non-native annuals. Across plants, diversity scores quadratically related to insect abundance, where the highest diversity was seen on the plants with medium abundance. Lastly, we present the weighted sums of all insect visitors per plant, which will allow future gardeners to make informed landscaping decisions. Overall, we have shown that gardening schemes could benefit from a data-driven approach to better support abundant and diverse insect populations within ornamental landscape gardens.

On the Bioactivity of Echinacea purpurea Extracts to Modulate the Production of Inflammatory Mediators.

Inflammatory diseases are the focus of several clinical studies, due to limitations and serious side effects of available therapies. Plant-based drugs (e.g., salicylic acid, morphine) have become landmarks in the pharmaceutical field. Therefore, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of flowers, leaves, and roots from Echinacea purpurea. Ethanolic (EE) and dichloromethanolic extracts (DE) were obtained using the Accelerated Solvent Extractor and aqueous extracts (AE) were prepared under stirring. Their chemical fingerprint was evaluated by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The pro- and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), of the different extracts were evaluated using non-stimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Interestingly, AE were able to stimulate macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor -TNF-α, interleukin -IL-1β, and IL-6), and to generate ROS/RNS. Conversely, under an inflammatory scenario, all extracts reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory mediators. DE, alkylamides-enriched extracts, showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, E. purpurea extracts demonstrated generally a more robust anti-inflammatory activity than clinically used anti-inflammatory drugs (dexamethasone, diclofenac, salicylic acid, and celecoxib). Therefore, E. purpurea extracts may be used to develop new effective therapeutic formulations for disorders in which the immune system is either overactive or impaired.