Echinacea tennesseensis ethanol tinctures harbor cytokine- and proliferation-enhancing capacities.
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.
Senchina
David S
DS
Biology Department, Drake University, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311, USA.
McCann
Dustin A
DA
Flinn
Gina N
GN
Wu
Lankun
L
Zhai
Zili
Z
Cunnick
Joan E
JE
Wurtele
Eve S
ES
Kohut
Marian L
ML
D000328:Adult; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D020900:Echinacea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol