Echinacea biological activities

Bauer R. Echinacea biological effects and active principles. In Lawson LD, Bauer R, eds. Phytomedicines of Europe. Chemistry and Biological Activity. Washington, D.C. American Chemical Society, 1988 140-157. 

One issue not resolved by the DSHEA, specifically for botanical or herbal dietary products, is the lack of standardization of the active component. As mentioned previously, the standardization of Echinacea products is based on the level of plant material rather than one specific compound. In many cases, the specific compound responsible for the health benefit has not been fully characterized. In addition, many phytochemical constituents may participate in an observed health benefit. The lack of standardized preparations may, in fact, be responsible for the conflicting reports surrounding the biological activity of Echinacea. 

Echinacea is promoted as an immune-enhancing herbal product and could be easily incorporated into cereal-based products (Wilson, 1998) to create a functional food. There are over 300 research articles dealing with the biological activity of Echinacea. In addition, over two million prescriptions... 

Cheminat, A., Zawatzky, R., Becher, H., and Brouillard, R. 1988. Caffeoyl conjugates from Echinacea species structures and biological activity. Phytochemistry 27, 2787-2794. 

Buuc r. R. Echinacea Biological effects and active principles. In Law son, L. D..and Bauer. R. (eds.). Phytomedicincs of Europe Chemistry and Biological Activity. American Chemical. Society Symposium Series. New Y(Kk. Oxford University Pre.s.s. 1998. p. 140. 

Pogorelaja N F, Menshova VO, Brajon AV, Voevodina, OV, Pogorelaja ZA, Brodovskaya NV (1997) Lectins - biologically active substances of Echinacea purpurea. Farm Zh (Kiev) (4) 80-83... 

---