title: Echinacea in infection.
abstract: Ongoing studies have developed strategies for identifying key bioactive compounds and chemical profiles in Echinacea with the goal of improving its human health benefits. Antiviral and antiinflammatory-antipain assays have targeted various classes of chemicals responsible for these activities. Analysis of polar fractions of E. purpurea extracts showed the presence of antiviral activity, with evidence suggesting that polyphenolic compounds other than the known HIV inhibitor, cichoric acid, may be involved. Antiinflammatory activity differed by species, with E. sanguinea having the greatest activity and E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. simulata having somewhat less. Fractionation and studies with pure compounds indicate that this activity is explained, at least in part, by the alkamide constituents. Ethanol extracts from Echinacea roots had potent activity as novel agonists of TRPV1, a mammalian pain receptor reported as an integrator of inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia and a prime therapeutic target for analgesic and antiinflammatory drugs. One fraction from E. purpurea ethanol extract was bioactive in this system. Interestingly, the antiinflammatory compounds identified to inhibit prostaglandin E(2) production differed from those involved in TRPV1 receptor activation.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Research on Botanical Dietary Supplements, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. dbirt@iastate.edu
authors.forename: Diane F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Birt
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Widrlechner
authors.forename: Carlie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lalone
authors.forename: Lankun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jaehoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Avery Ks
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Solco
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Eve S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Wurtele
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Leng
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Maury
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020900:Echinacea; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D059808:Polyphenols; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000819:agonists
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C494484:TRPV1 receptor