title: Immunomodulation with Viscum album and Echinacea purpurea extracts.
abstract: Extracts of Viscum album (Plenosol) and Echinacea purpurea (Echinacin) are used clinically for their non-specific action on cell-mediated immunity. In vitro we could prove that these two extracts have a stimulating effect on the production of lymphokines by lymphocytes and in the transformation test. A toxic effect on cells was produced only with very high, clinically irrelevant concentrations. Clinical application of these extracts can produce a stimulation of cell-mediated immunity (one therapeutic administration followed by a free interval of one week) or can have a depressive action (daily administrations of higher doses). These observations were confirmed by lymphokine production and assay, 3H-thymidine incorporation and a skin test with recall antigens (Multitest Merieux).
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Coeugniet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elek
mesh_terms: D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D004261:DNA Replication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis; D014784:Mistletoe; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012016:Reference Values; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D008222:Lymphokines; D010936:Plant Extracts