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Planta Med 2011; 77(17): 1883-1889
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1279990
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Chemically Characterized Fractions from Aerial Parts of Echinacea purpurea and E. angustifolia on Myelopoiesis in Rats

Sindhura Ramasahayam1 , Hany N. Baraka2 , Fatma M. Abdel Bar2 , Bilal S. Abuasal2 , Mark P. Widrlechner3 , Khalid A. El Sayed2 , Sharon A. Meyer1
  • 1Department of Toxicology, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA
  • 2Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, USA
  • 3North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, U. S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
Further Information

Publication History

received August 11, 2010 revised January 8, 2011

accepted May 15, 2011

Publication Date:
25 August 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Echinacea species are used for beneficial effects on immune function, and various prevalent phytochemicals have immunomodulatory effects. Using a commercial E. purpurea (L.) Moench product, we have evaluated the myelopoietic effect on bone marrow of rats treated with various extracts and correlated this with their chemical class composition. Granulocyte/macrophage-colony forming cells (GM-CFCs) from femurs of female Sprague-Dawley rats were assessed at 24 h after 7 daily oral treatments. A 75 % ethanolic extract at 50 mg dried weight (derived from 227 mg aerial parts) per kg body weight increased GM-CFCs by 70 % but at 100 mg/kg was without effect. Ethanolic extracts from aerial parts of E. angustifolia DC. var. angustifolia and E. purpurea from the USDA North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station increased GM-CFCs by 3- and 2-fold, respectively, at 200 mg/kg (∼ 1400 mg/kg plant material). Extract from another USDA E. angustifolia was inactive. Proton and APT NMR, MS, and TLC indicated alkylamides and caffeic-acid derivatives (CADs) present in ethanolic extracts of both the commercial and USDA-derived material. Cichoric and caftaric acids were prominent in both E. purpurea ethanolic extracts but absent in E. angustifolia. Aqueous extract of the commercial material exhibited polysaccharide and CAD signatures and was without effect on GM-CFCs. A methanol-CHCl3 fraction of commercial source, also inactive, was almost exclusively 1 : 4 nonanoic : decanoic acids, which were also abundant in commercial ethanolic extract but absent from USDA material. In conclusion, we have demonstrated an ethanol-extractable myelostimulatory activity in Echinacea aerial parts that, when obtained from commercial herbal supplements, may be antagonized by medium-chain fatty acids presumably derived from a non-plant additive.

Key words

Echinacea angustifolia - Echinacea purpurea - Asteraceae - immune function - herbal supplement - medium-chain triglyceride additive

Supporting Information

References

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Sharon A. Meyer, Ph.D.

Department of Toxicology
University of Louisiana at Monroe

1800 Bienville Dr

Monroe, LA 71201

USA

Phone: +1 318 3 42 16 85

Fax: +1 318 3 42 30 37

Email: meyer@ulm.edu

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