Echinacea

Echinacea is derived from the root and seeds of the Echinacea plant that grows in parts of the Midwestern United States. This herb is used primarily to stimulate or support the immune system, and is often used to treat cold symptoms and other relatively minor respiratory tract infections.8 38 Although the exact reasons for beneficial effects are unclear, there is considerable evidence that echinacea preparations can reduce symptoms of the common cold when taken soon after symptoms appear.5,71 The ability of echinacea to prevent colds and other infections, however, is less well defined.49 Echinacea can also be administered topically to treat burns and other localized wounds. The most common side effects associated with echinacea are gastrointestinal (GI) upset, skin rash, and other allergic or hypersensitivity reactions.36 

Echinacea was originally utilized by Native Americans as a blood purifier and was used in the treatment of snake bites, infections, and malignancy. Today, echinacea is promoted primarily in oral dosage forms as an immune stimulant that helps increase resistance to colds, influenza, and other infections, although topical products for wounds and inflammatory skin conditions are also available. 

Echinacea is believed to have antiseptic, antiviral, and peripheral vasodilator properties. Traditionally, it has been used for furunculosis, septicemia, nasopharyngeal catarrh, pyorrhea, tonsillitis, and specifically for boils, carbuncles, and abscesses. Scientists are currently researching its immunostimulant action. 

Parts of the Echinacea species used for pharmaceutical products (a) E. pallida. roots (acc. to Kommission E of the German official administration) (b) E. angustifolia roots (acc. to DAB 9), whole plant (acc. to HAB 1) (c) E. purpurea upper parts of the flowering plants (acc. to HAB 1), (acc. to Kommission E)  

Used parts of the plant Dried roots Roots of all spedes 

Sample solutions With methanol, 5 min water bath 65 °C.  

Reference substances Rutoside Echinacoside, cynarine, cichoric + chlorogenic add 

Sorbent Prescribed (Probably TLC) Silica gel G R Silica gel 60 F254 Used (Merck) TEC silica gel 60 F254 GLP Used 20 X 20 cm (Merck 1.05566) (Merck 1.05566)  

The Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee received 11 reports of adverse reactions associated with echinacea use between July 1996 and September 1997. There were three reports of hepatitis, three of asthma, one of rash, myalgia, and nausea, one of utricaria and one of anaphylaxis. There are other published reports of echinacea associated with contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis.  

---

Echinacea, a frequently used herb, is taken to stimulate the immune astern function by increasing the number and activity of immune cells and to stimulate phagocytosis (ingestion and destruction of bacteria and other harmful substanceIt appears to shorten the duration of colds and influenza. 

Most herbalists recommend that echinacea should be taken at the initial signs of infection, when symptomsfirst become apparent. Smalt repeated dosesthroughout the day may be better than taking larger doses less frequently. Because it isan immunosuppressant, the herb should not be taken for more than eight consecutive weeks. Seven to fourteen days of treatment is usually sufficient. 

Echinacea Echinacea Prevents and Rare. Nausea and Siould not be used by... 

Fig. 2.77 Compounds 246-249, caffeic-acid derivatives from Echinacea angustifolia. Compounds 250 and 251, sweet principals from Lippia dulcis...

Binns, S. E., Arnason, J. T. and Baum, B. R. 2002. Phytochemical variation within populations of Echinacea angustifolia (Asteraceae). Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 30 837-854. 

Wagner et al. obtained immunostimulating pectic polysaccharides from plant cell culture of Echinacea purpurea [5]. From the extracellular polysaccharide... 

Echinacea-polysaccharide II consists of arabino-3,6-P-galactan part, rhamnogalacturonan part and arabinan part [5], therefore it is suggested that the polysaccharide may be certain ramified region of pectic polysaccharide. 

Albuterol (salbutamol) metered-dose inhaler as needed Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo by mouth daily Echinacea 1 to 2 tablets by mouth daily as needed Multivitamin 1 tablet by mouth daily... 

St. John s wort Echinacea Ginseng Aloe vera... 

Hydroalcoholic extracts are made when the active constituents are insoluble in water or when a concentrated dosage form is desired. Hydro alcoholic extracts use concentrated alcohol in varying proportions with water as a solvent. Hydroalcoholic extracts are categorized as tinctures or fluid extracts, depending on the amount of alcohol used. Some patients who simply do not like the taste of alcohol may be counseled to put the dosage of tincture drops into a cup of hot liquid and let it stand for a few minutes to evaporate off most of the alcohol before ingestion. An example of an ethanolic extract is echinacea [5,6]. 

Delorme, D. and Miller, S.C., Dietary consumption of Echinacea by mice afflicted with autoimmune (type I) diabetes effect of consuming the herb on hemopoietic and immune cell dynamics, Autoimmunity, 38, 453, 2005. 

Another popular herbal dietary supplement that has a long history of use for medicinal purposes is ginseng. Much like Echinacea, three primary species of ginseng exist for therapeutic consumption Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), Panax notoginseng and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng). These herbal varieties can be readily authenticated... 

Perry, N.B., Burgess, E.J., and Glennie, V.L., Echinacea standardization Analytical methods for phenolic compounds and typical levels in medicinal species, J Agric Food Chem, 49, 1702, 2001. 

Burger, R.A. et al., Echinacea-induced cytokine production by human macrophages, Int J Immunopharmacol, 19, 371, 1997. 

Rininger, J.A. et al., Immunopharmacological activity of Echinacea preparations following simulated digestion on murine macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, J Leukoc Biol, 68, 503, 2000. 

See, D.M. et al., In vitro effects of echinacea and ginseng on natural killer and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in healthy subjects and chronic fatigue syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients, Immunopharmacology, 35, 229, 1997. 

Gan, X.H. et al., Mechanism of activation of human peripheral blood NK cells at the single cell level by Echinacea water soluble extracts Recruitment of lymphocyte-target conjugates and killer cells and activation of programming for lysis, Int Immunopharmacol, 3, 811, 2003. 

Morazzoni, P. et al., In vitro and in vivo immune stimulating effects of a new standardized Echinacea angustifolia root extract (Polinacea), Fitoterapia, 76, 401, 2005. 

Muller-Jakic, B. et al., In vitro inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase by alka-mides from Echinacea and Achillea species, Planta Med, 60, 37, 1994. 

Clifford, L.J. et al., Bioactivity of alkamides isolated from Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Phytomedicine, 9, 249, 2002. 

Freier, D.O. et al., Enhancement of the humoral immune response by Echinacea purpurea in female Swiss mice, Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol, 25, 551, 2003. 

---