Echinacea hyaluronidase inhibition

Echinacea extracts appear to stimulate the number and activity of immune cells (i.e., increasing physiological levels of tumor necrosis factor and other cytokines) and to increase leukocyte mobility and phagocytosis. The extracts also have antiviral and antiinflammatory properties and inhibit bacterial hyaluronidase. 

Certain echinacea constituents have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, and hyaluronidase may be involved. In animals, application of Epurpurea prior to application of a topical irritant reduced both paw and ear edema. Despite these laboratory findings, randomized, controlled clinical trials involving echinacea for wound healing have not been performed in humans. 

In a study of human sperm, Echinacea was found to inhibit the motility of the sperm only at high concentrations and after 24 hours. One potential effect of Echinacea is thought to be the inhibition of hyaluronidase activity. Hyaluronidase is localized on the sperm head and helps the sperm to penetrate the oocyte. This potential inhibition could prevent sperm from fertilizing oocytes, but further studies are needed to confirm this potential interaction (38). 

The wound-healing actions of Echinacea stem from two effects inhibition of hyaluronidase, an enzyme produced by bacteria that enables them to spread throughout a wound, and stimulation of fibroblasts to produce granulation tis-... 

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