Effect on prolactin secretion of Echinacea purpurea, Hypericum perforatum and Eleutherococcus senticosus

It has been recently reported that prolactin (PRL) plays an important role in immune system regulation. In this study we investigated the activity of three natural drugs with immunomodulatory activity: Echinacea purpurea (EP), Hypericum perforatum (HP) and Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) on PRL production. Male rats were orally treated with two different doses (30 and 100 mg/kg) of extract of these drugs for 3 or 15 days. A 3-day treatment was not able to modify PRL serum levels, whereas a 15-day treatment with EP and HP at the higher dose significantly inhibits PRL production. A treatment with ES was always ineffective. A possible mechanism for this effect could be that both HP and EP extracts display a direct dopaminergic activity, although an involvement of the GABA-ergic system cannot be excluded.     

Antitussive effect of a fixed combination of Justicia adhatoda,Echinacea purpurea and Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection: A comparative,randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled study

BackgroundKan Jang® oral solution (KJ) is a fixed combination of aqueous ethanolic extracts of Justicia adhatoda L. leaf, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench root, and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Harms root. It is approved in Scandinavia as an herbal medicinal product for respiratory tract infection treatment.PurposeThe present clinical trial aimed to compare the antitussive effect of KJ with placebo (PL) and bromhexine (BH) among patients of 18–65 years old with non-complicated upper respiratory infections (URI; i.e., common cold).Study designWe performed a parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in in 177 patients with acute URI over a 5 day period.MethodsWe investigated the antitussive effects of a KJ (30 ml/day; 762 mg genuine extracts with standardized contents of 0.2 mg/ml vasicine, 0.8 mg/ml chicoric acid, and 0.03 mg/ml eleutherosides B and E), bromhexine hydrochloride (24 mg/30 ml/day) and PL on cough and blood markers. The primary outcome was cough relief, which was assessed as the change of cough frequency from baseline (cough index). Secondary outcomes were safety with regards to reported adverse events (AEs) and hematological data.ResultsBoth KJ and BH relieved cough more effectively than placebo. On the third and fourth days of treatment, we observed faster improvement in the group receiving KJ compared to in the groups receiving BH (100%) or PL (100%), indicating a slightly shorter recovery time in the KJ group. KJ showed a good tolerability and safety profile.ConclusionKJ exerted significant antitussive effects in URI. The present data further support the therapeutic use of KJ in upper respiratory tract infections.     

Influence of Echinacea purpurea intake during pregnancy on fetal growth and tissue angiogenic activity

The process of angiogenesis and control of blood vessels sprouting are fundamental to human health, as they play key roles in many physiological and pathological conditions. Intake of different pharmaceuticals with antiangiogenic activity by pregnant women may lead to severe developmental disturbances as it was described in case of thalidomide. It may also cause immunomodulatory effects as it was shown for antibiotics, theobromine, caffeic acid or catechins on the pregnant mice model. At present, Echinacea purpurea-based phytoceuticals are among the most popular herbals in the marketplace. Many compounds of Echinacea extracts (polysaccharides, alkamides, polyphenols, glycoproteins) exert immunomodulatory, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Echinacea is one of the most powerful and effective remedies against many kinds of bacterial and viral infections. In previous studies we shown significant inhibitory effect of the Echinacea purpurea based remedy on tumour angiogenic activity using cutaneous angiogenesis test, and an inhibitory effect on L-1 sarcoma growth was observed . The aim of the present study was to establish whether pharmaceuticals containing alcoholic extracts of Echinacea purpurea given to pregnant mice influence angiogenic activity and tissue VEGF and bFGF production of their fetuses. We showed that angiogenic activity of tissue homogenates was increased in Esberitox group and diminished in case of Immunal forte as compared to standard diet group. In case of Echinapur group we did not find significant differences in angiogenic activity. VEGF and bFGF concentration were lower in all groups compared to the control. In the case of Echinapur and Esberitox number of fetuses in one litter were slightly lower as compared to control group, but the difference is on the border of statistical significance. In conclusion, there is some possibility that pharmaceuticals containing Echinacea purpurea might influence fetal development in human also, because they may interfere with embrional angiogenesis , and should not be recommended for pregnant women.     

Echinaforce and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold. A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of different doses and preparations of Echinacea purpurea in the treatment of common cold. 246 of 559 recruited healthy, adult volunteers caught a common cold and took 3 times daily 2 tablets of either Echinaforce (Echinacea purpurea-preparation from 95% herba and 5% radix), Echinacea purpurea concentrate (same preparation at 7 times higher concentration), special Echinacea purpurea radix preparation (totally different from that of Echinaforce) or placebo until they felt healthy again but not longer than 7 days. The primary endpoint was the relative reduction of the complaint index defined by 12 symptoms during common cold according to the doctor's record. Echinaforce and its concentrated preparation were significantly more effective than the special Echinacea extract or placebo. All treatments were well tolerated. Among the Echinacea groups the frequency of adverse events was not significantly higher than in the placebo group. Therefore, Echinacea concentrate as well as Echinaforce represent a low-risk and effective alternative to the standard symptomatic medicines in the acute treatment of common cold.     

Echinacea purpurea L. in children: safety, tolerability, compliance, and clinical effectiveness in upper respiratory tract infections

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench was mistakenly taken from North America to Germany in 1939 where it was cultivated and various extractions were prepared and subsequently used to treat upper respiratory tract infections. Parents often administer Echinacea to their children, but safety data on the use of Echinacea in Canadian children is lacking. A screening history, physical examination, and daily record of symptoms from an initial visit through to a the follow-up visit 13 days later were used to increase patient safety. Each subject was administered an aerial part Echinacea extract. The dose was based on age (2.5 mL three times per day for children aged 2-5 years, and 5 mL two times per day for children aged 6-12 years) and administered for 10 days in an open-label trial. A rating scale was used to measure tolerance to the treatment. We assessed the safety and compliance of use of the Echinacea extract by measuring the amount of extract returned at the end of the study, having the parents complete and return a daily symptom diary, and recording the subjects' use of other natural health products or medications during the trial. Clinical effectiveness of the Echinacea extract could not be accurately assessed because of the small trial size and because the extract had been administered when some of the subjects had an upper respiratory tract infection that had begun 1 or more days prior to the study; however, each subject's symptoms improved. No allergic or adverse reaction occurred and no safety issues arose.     

Comparison of Echinacea alkylamide pharmacokinetics between liquid and tablet preparations

The relative oral bioavailability of alkylamides from two different Echinacea dosage forms (liquid and tablet) were compared in a small two-way crossover study in humans (n=3). The liquid preparation investigated contained a mixture of Echinacea purpurea root (300 mg/ml) and Echinacea angustifolia root (200 mg/ml) extracted in 60% ethanol. The tablet preparation investigated was also a mixture of E. purpurea root (675 mg/tablet) and E. angustifolia root (600 mg/tablet), but was prepared from the dried 60% ethanolic extracts of these two Echinacea species. Alkylamides were found to be rapidly absorbed and measurable in plasma from both preparations. No significant differences in the tetraene alkylamide pharmacokinetic parameters for T(1/2), AUC(t-lin) and C(max) in the two different preparations were found. T(max) increased from 20 min for the liquid to 30 min for the tablet, which is not unexpected as the tablet required time for disintegration before absorption could occur. These results suggested that there was no significant difference in the bioavailability of alkylamides from the liquid and tablet Echinacea formulations. Furthermore, the results also indicated that the absorption site and any alkylamide loss due to digestive processes were similar in both preparations.     

大孔吸附树脂对紫锥菊提取物中菊苣酸分离纯化的研究

采用大孔吸附树脂分离纯化紫锥菊提取物中免疫活性成分菊苣酸,7％(v／v)的甲醇-水溶液洗脱,HPLC法对产品中菊苣酸含量进行检测分析。该法能把紫锥菊提取物中菊苣酸含量(4％)提高9倍左右,回收率达到95％以上,且操作简单,可用于菊苣酸的分离纯化。     

Proliferative activity of Echinacea angustifolia root extracts on cancer cells: Interference with doxorubicin cytotoxicity

Doxorubicin is an anticancer drug that causes apoptosis in cells, but cardiotoxicity limits the cumulative dose that can remain in the blood. Echinacea extracts have been prescribed to supplement cancer chemotherapy. In a recent study, it was reported that Echinacea purpurea extracts protected noncancerous cells from apoptosis. Our study aimed to determine interference with doxorubicin chemotherapy, and if fractions and compounds from Echinacea angustifolia roots protected the cells. Cervical and breast cancer cells were treated with the Echinacea samples and doxorubicin. At 0.05 and 0.5 microM doxorubicin concentration, cynarine increased HeLa cell growth by 48-125% and 29-101%, respectively (p<0.01). At 0.05 microM doxorubicin concentration, chicoric acid increased cell growth by 23-100% (p<0.01). When MCF-7 cells were treated with Echinacea and doxorubicin, the ethyl acetate fraction increased cell growth by 20-25%, and chicoric acid increased cell growth by 10-15%. Cynarine showed proliferative activity on HeLa cells, but showed antiproliferative activity on MCF-7 cells. Results indicate that phenolic compounds are responsible for proliferative activity. Studies with individual compounds show that chicoric acid and cynarine interfered with cells treated with 0.5 microM doxorubicin. The results of this study show that Echinacea herbal medicines affect cell proliferation despite cancer treatment, and that herbal medicines require further study with respect to anticancer drugs.     

Phenetic comparison of sevenEchinacea species based on immunomodulatory characteristics

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare similarities and differences in immune response among Echinacea species, which are commonly used to treat upper respiratory infections. The investigation involved two components: acquisition of immunomodulatory data reported here for the first time, and combined phenetic analysis of these data along with previous reports. Experimental data were obtained by stimulating human PBMC in vitro with extracts from Echinacea spp. and assaying production of three cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β] interleukin-2 [IL-2], and tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α]). Phenetic analyses were employed to compare responses across the entire data set, including UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) and neighbor-joining methods. In the immune experiments conducted for this investigation, E. angustifolia,E. paradoxa, E. purpurea, E. simulata, andE. tennesseensis extracts significantly augmented IL-1 β and TNF-α production, whereas no extracts significantly modulated IL-2. All phenetic methods produced similar dendrograms, revealing two species pairs (E. angustifolia + E. simulata and E. pallida + E.sanguinea) where both species cluster tightly and have similar immune-response profiles. These two species-pairs are maximally dissimilar from each other. The remaining species (E. paradoxa, E. purpurea, and E. tennesseensis) occupy intermediate positions in the dendrogram. Our results suggest that Echinacea spp. act heterogeneously on immune function. The utility of these data for science and industry is discussed.     

Medicinal properties of Echinacea: A critical review

Preparations from Echinacea purpurea are among the most widely used herbal medicines. Most uses of E. purpurea are based on the reported immunological properties. A series of experiments have demonstrated that E. purpurea extracts do indeed demonstrate significant immunomodulatory activities. Among the many pharmacological properties reported, macrophage activation has been demonstrated most convincingly. Phagocytotic indices and macrophage-derived cytokine concentrations have been shown to be Echinacea-responsive in a variety of assays. Activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and natural killer cells has also been reasonably demonstrated. Changes in the numbers and activities of T- and B-cell leukocytes have been reported, but are less certain. Despite this cellular evidence of immunostimulation, pathways leading to enhanced resistance to infectious disease have not been described adequately. Several dozen human experiments--including a number of blind randomized trials--have reported health benefits. The most robust data come from trials testing E. purpurea extracts in the treatment for acute upper respiratory infection. Although suggestive of modest benefit, these trials are limited both in size and in methodological quality. Hence, while there is a great deal of moderately good-quality scientific data regarding E. purpurea, effectiveness in treating illness or in enhancing human health has not yet been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.     

Echinacea alkamide disposition and pharmacokinetics in humans after tablet ingestion

Echinacea is a widely used herbal remedy for the treatment of colds and other infections. However, almost nothing is known about the disposition and pharmacokinetics of any of its components, particularly the alkamides and caffeic acid conjugates which are thought to be the active phytochemicals. In this investigation, we have examined serial plasma samples from 9 healthy volunteers who ingested echinacea tablets manufactured from ethanolic liquid extracts of Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea immediately after a standard high fat breakfast. Caffeic acid conjugates could not be identified in any plasma sample at any time after tablet ingestion. Alkamides were rapidly absorbed and were measurable in plasma 20 min after tablet ingestion and remained detectable for up to 12 h. Concentration-time curves for 2,4-diene and 2-ene alkamides were determined. The maximal concentrations for the sum of alkamides in human plasma were reached within 2.3 h post ingestion and averaged 336+/-131 ng eq/mL plasma. No obvious differences were observed in the pharmacokinetics of individual or total alkamides in 2 additional fasted subjects who took the same dose of the echinacea preparation. This single dose study provides evidence that alkamides are orally available and that their pharmacokinetics are in agreement with the one dose three times daily regimen already recommended for echinacea.     

Physical and biochemical differences in Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transgenic hairy root lines of Echinacea purpurea

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea L.), also known as purple coneflower, is one of the important medicinal plants commonly used for respiratory...     

Itraconazole (Orungal) in the treatment of mycotic infections in oncologic patients]

Clinical and microbiological activity of itraconazole (Orungal, solution for oral use, "Janssen-Cilag") for treatment of oncological patients with inhospital infections associated with candida was evaluated. The trial included 50 patients with oncological pathology of respiratory tract, as representatives of risk group for candida contamination. Two groups of patients were formed: when candida contamination was proved patients of the test group were treated by antifungal agent itraconazole (Orungal, "Janssen-Cilag"). Patients in control group were treated by fluconazole (Diflazon, "KRKA") according to standard therapy regime. When no clinical efficacy was achieved patients in both groups were treated by amphotericin B (Fungizone, "Bristol-Myers Squibb"). Clinical efficacy was demonstrated at 13 patients and microbiological efficacy (pathogen elimination) at 12 patient of 14 of itraconazole group. Clinical efficacy was demonstrated at 9 patients and microbiological efficacy at 7 of 11 patients of fluconazole group. Treatment with amphotericin B was effective at all 4 patients treated with this antibiotic, microbiological effect was demonstrated for 3 patients of the group. Frequency of side effects was significantly less in itraconazole group. The course price was also significantly lower at itraconazole group. All this data are important for elaboration of optimal pharmaco economic policy regarding inhospital infections at critical care units.     

Effect of Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) aqueous extract on antibody response to Bothrops asper venom and immune cell response

The effect of aqueous extract of Echinacea purpurea roots on the murine antibody response to Bothrops asper snake venom in vivo was studied. Three groups were used. Group #1, baseline control, was treated with snake venom plus PBS. Group #2 was treated with snake venom plus sodium alginate as adjuvant (routine method used at Instituto Clodomiro Picado), and group #3 or experimental group, was treated with snake venom plus aqueous extract ofE. purpurea root as adjuvant. In all groups, the first inoculation was done with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). By the time of the second bleeding, mice in group #3 showed a remarkable increment in the level of anti-venom antibodies compared with those in groups #1 or #2. In vitro immune cell proliferation as a response to aqueous extract of E. purpurea root was studied using human lymphocytes activated with different lectins (Con A, PHA and PWM). In all cases, increase in percentage of lymphoproliferation was greater when E. purpurea root extract was used in addition to individual lectins.     

刺五加雌花蜜腺的显微形态和超微结构观察

利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜及透射电镜对刺五加雌花蜜腺结构进行了观察,结果表明:(1)刺五加雌花蜜腺为花盘蜜腺,由表皮和泌蜜组织构成;(2)蜜腺表面几乎均匀地分布着大量变态的气孔,蜜汁从气孔泌出;(3)蜜腺发育过程中有淀粉粒的积累和水解过程,液泡也伴随规律性变化;(4)蜜腺分泌方式为渗透型,或者以渗透型为主胞吐型为辅的分泌方式;(5)金胺O染色说明蜜腺表面具有角质层,可观察到微通道从中穿过,可能是蜜汁向外界分泌的通道之一.     

Studies on Sexual Reproduction and Vegetative Propagation of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae)

Eleutherococcus senticosus has two reproduction modes: vegetative propagation and sexual reproduction. In this paper, flower number per inflorescence, seed set and plump seed ratio,some aspects of rhizome morphology and morphogenesis of three morphs with different filament lengths are reported, and the breeding system is studied by hand-pollination. It is clear from the two tables presented in the present paper that plants with long filaments cannot fruit, plants with short filaments can fruit annually, but their seed setting ratio is different in different years and different habitats, plants with medium-long filaments can also fruit but their plump seed ratio may be low. In ordinary years, the seed setting ratio of plants with short filament reaches 40% and plants at the edge of forests have slightly higher seed setting ratio than those on cleared area and those in natural secondary forests. Considering the existence of only a few populations with medium-long filaments in the area studied,we conclude that most of seeds in Eleutherococcus senticosus should be the products of cross pollination;and with the coexistence of vegetative propagation and sexual reproduction, the species of Eleutherococcus senticosus should not be endangered,if not destructed by human beings.     

Bronchoscopic Diagnosis of Pulmonary Infections—Comparison of Protected-Specimen Brush and Cytology Brush With Lung Aspirates

In a recent study the use of a new plugged double-lumen protected-specimen brush with the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope was advocated to isolate pathogens in lower respiratory tract infections while avoiding upper respiratory tract contamination. To compare the efficacy of this brush and a standard single-lumen cytology brush in identifying the etiologic agent in lower respiratory tract infections, we studied 18 patients with lung infections. Transthoracic lung aspiration was done in all but two patients in an attempt to identify the specific etiologic agent. In these two cases, cultures of specimens of blood or postmortem lung tissue yielded the causative organism. In 12 patients anaerobic or aerobic bacteria (or both) were identified, whereas one patient had a mixed bacterial and fungal infection. Using the cytology brush and the protected-specimen brush we identified at least one pathogen in 10 of 12 and 10 of 13 cases, whereas both brushes missed one or more causative organisms in 8 of 12 and 8 of 13 cases, respectively. Nonetiologic organisms were found in 8 of 12 cases by the cytology brush and 8 of 13 cases by the protected-specimen brush. Quantitative culture techniques improved the specificity of the brush results in infections where aerobes predominated. Our data show that bronchoscopic cultures of lower respiratory tract infections do not consistently recover the causative agent and are frequently subject to contamination by nonetiologic organisms. There was no difference between the brushes in avoiding contamination.     

刺五加的有性生殖与营养繁殖

刺五加 Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr.et Maxim.)Maxim,既可进行有性繁殖,又可进行营养繁殖。本文报道其三类花丝长度不同的植株每个花序的花朵数量、座果率、饱满种子率及根茎形态和形态发生的某些特点。通过人工受精,检测了其繁育系统。结果表明:长花丝植株不座果,短花丝植株座果,但不同年份、不同生境中座果率不同,中花丝植株也座果但饱满种子率教低。在正常年份,短花丝植株的座果率接近40％,并且林缘的座果率稍高于皆伐迹地和次生林下的。考虑到中花丝植株在所研究地区居群数很少,我们认为绝大多数刺五加种子是异花传粉的产物,其有性生殖与营养繁殖相配合,在无人为破坏的前提下,该物种不应该濒危。     

刺五加体细胞胚发生研究进展

综述了国内外对刺五加体细胞胚发生研究的现状。分别对刺五加体细胞胚发生方式、体细胞胚发育相关生理生化变化（包括生长素极性运输、DNA甲基化和代谢途径调控）、体细胞胚生物反应器培养的研究现状进行了评述。     

Immunological studies of Revitonil, a phytopharmaceutical containing Echinacea purpurea and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.

A phytopharmaceutical containing an extract of Echinacea purpurea and Glycyrrhiza glabra root (Revitonil tablets) was investigated for its suggested immunostimulating potential, using several in vitro tests and the in vivo carbon-clearance model in mice. In the in vitro phagocytosis test with human granulocytes, Revitonil showed a 44-53% stimulating effect at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. Whereas in the chemoluminescence test at a concentration of 1.25 microg/ml, Revitonil tablets exhibited a moderate enhancing effect only, a remarkable stimulating activity (30-50%) was observed in the T-lymphocyte CD69 bioassay at a concentration of 100 microg-1 microg/ml. The highest immunological efficacy could be assigned to Revitonil as revealed by the in vivo carbon-clearance model in mice. With RCt/RCc-values of 2.0, Revitonil exhibited a very high carbon elimination rate at oral administration. Because the Echinacea and Glycyrrhiza monoextracts alone showed lower RCt/RCc-values (1.3-1.7) than Revitonil, a potentiating synergistic effect of the extract mixture in Revitonil can be postulated.