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Planta Med 2013; 79(01): 9-14
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328023
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Total Bacterial Load within Echinacea purpurea, Determined Using a New PCR-based Quantification Method, is Correlated with LPS Levels and In Vitro Macrophage Activity

Nirmal D. Pugh
1   National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
2   Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
,
Colin R. Jackson
3   Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
,
David S. Pasco
1   National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
2   Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
4   Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 07 May 2012
revised 08 October 2012

accepted 29 October 2012

Publication Date:
04 December 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Our previous studies indicate that the majority of in vitro monocyte/macrophage activation exhibited by extracts of Echinacea depends on bacterial components. In the present study, total bacterial load was determined within E. purpurea samples and ranged from 6.4 × 106 to 3.3 × 108 bacteria/g of dry plant material. To estimate total bacterial load, we developed a PCR-based quantification method that circumvents the problems associated with nonviable/nonculturable cells (which precludes using plate counts) or the coamplification of mitochondrial or chloroplast DNA with the use of universal bacterial primers (which precludes the use of qPCR). Differences in total bacterial load within Echinacea samples were strongly correlated with the activity (NF-κB activation in THP-1 cells) and content of bacterial lipopolysaccharides within extracts of this plant material. These results add to the growing body of evidence that bacteria within Echinacea are the main source of components responsible for enhancing innate immune function.

Key words

Echinacea purpurea - Asteraceae - macrophage activation - lipopolysaccharide - bacteria - bacterial load - PCR method
 

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