Echinacea Tennesseensis Ethanol Tinctures Harbor Cytokine- and Proliferation-enhancing Capacities

Overview

Journal Cytokine

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Biology

Date 2009 Mar 17

PMID 19286391

Citations 1

Authors

David S Senchina

Dustin A McCann

Gina N Flinn

Lankun Wu

Zili Zhai

Joan E Cunnick

Eve S Wurtele

Marian L Kohut

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Members of the genus Echinacea are used medicinally to treat upper respiratory infections such as colds and influenza. The aim of the present investigation was to characterize the phytomedicinal properties of the American federally endangered species Echinacea tennesseensis.

Methods: Fifty-percent ethanol tinctures were prepared from roots, stems, leaves, and flowers and tested separately for their ability to influence production of IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-alpha as well as proliferation by young human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) in vitro. Tincture aliquots were stored at three different temperatures (4, -20, and -80 degrees C) for 21h before testing. At 1-month post-extraction, tinctures stored at -20 degrees C were tested again for cytokine modulation. Phytochemical analyses were performed using HPLC.

Results: Fresh root, leaf, and flower tinctures stimulated PBMC proliferation. Fresh root tinctures alone stimulated IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha production. No tinctures modulated IL-2 production. Stem tinctures showed no activity. Storage temperature did not influence any outcomes. Root tinctures maintained their ability to modulate IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha production after 1month of storage at -20 degrees C.

Conclusions: These results suggest E. tennesseensis harbors phytomedicinal properties that vary by plant organ, with roots demonstrating the strongest activities.

Citing Articles

A systematic review on the effects of supplementation on cytokine levels: Is there a role in COVID-19?.

Aucoin M, Cardozo V, McLaren M, Garber A, Remy D, Baker J Metabol Open. 2021; 11:100115.

PMID: 34341776 PMC: 8320399. DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2021.100115.

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