Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ECHINACEA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Echinacea.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2005

Commercial Seed Lots Exhibit Reduced Seed Dormancy in Comparison to Wild Seed Lots of Echinacea purpurea.

Seed germination patterns were studied in E. purpurea (L.) Moench grouped by seed source, one group of seven lots from commercially cultivated populations and a second group of nine lots regenerated from ex situ conserved wild populations. Germination tests were conducted in a growth chamber in light (40 μmol·m(-2)·s(-1)) or darkness at 25 °C for 20 days after soaking the seeds in water for 10 minutes. Except for two seed lots from wild populations, better germination was observed for commercially cultivated populations in light (90% mean among seed lots, ranging from 82% to 95%) and in darkness (88% mean among seed lots, ranging from 82% to 97%) than for wild populations in light (56% mean among seed lots, ranging from 9% to 92%) or in darkness (37% mean among seed lots, ranging from 4% to 78%). No germination difference was measured between treatments in light and darkness in the commercially cultivated populations, but significant differences were noted for treatments among wild populations. These results suggest that repeated cycles of sowing seeds during cultivation without treatments for dormancy release resulted in reduced seed dormancy in E. purpurea.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

The American coneflower: a prophylactic role involving nonspecific immunity.

OBJECTIVE: In humans, considerable circumstantial evidence exists that indicates soluble root extracts of the American coneflower, genus Echinacea, may act to ameliorate virus-mediated afflictions, such as the common cold, influenza, and even AIDS and virus-based tumors. This study was designed to quantify, in normal mice, Echinacea-mediated, quantitative, dynamic changes, with time on both mature and precursor cells, of all the hemopoietic and immune-cell lineages in the spleen and bone marrow. DESIGN: A specific, commercially prepared potent extract of Echinacea root was provided daily in the diet for either 1 week or 2 weeks with the aim of establishing a possible mechanism of action for this herb. RESULTS: The data revealed that natural-killer (NK) cells and monocytes, both mediators of nonspecific immunity and well-demonstrated killers of virus-containing cells, were numerically and significantly increased in both the bone marrow and the spleen as early as 1 week after beginning treatment with the dietary herb. In contrast to our observations with NK cells and monocytes, the sizes of all other hemopoietic and immune cell populations in these two organs remained at control levels even after 2 weeks of daily dietary Echinacea. CONCLUSIONS: The work has demonstrated the specific nature of Echinacea-derived phytochemicals in acting as stimulants of those cells responsible for nonspecific immunity, as the first line of defense against virus-infected/transformed cells. The observations that these cells were elevated in the bone marrow indicates that at least one mechanism of action of this herb, is to stimulate new cell production in situ. The significant elevation of these two fundamental immune-cell populations, in normal animals, suggests a prophylactic role for this herb.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

An alternative medicine study of herbal effects on the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes and the integrity of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of certain herbs on sperm DNA and on the fertilization process. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. SETTING: Clinical and academic research environment. PATIENT(S): Donor sperm specimens. INTERVENTION(S): Zona-free hamster oocytes were incubated for 1 hour in saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), echinacea purpura, ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), or control medium before sperm-oocyte interaction. The DNA of herb-treated sperm was analyzed with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Oocyte penetration and integrity of the sperm BRCAI exon 11 gene. RESULT(S): Pretreatment of oocytes with 0.6 mg/mL of St. John's wort resulted in zero penetration. A lower concentration (0.06 mg/mL) had no effect. High concentrations of echinacea and ginkgo also resulted in reduced oocyte penetration. Exposure of sperm to echinacea purpura and St. John's wort resulted in DNA denaturation. In contrast, saw palmetto and ginkgo had no effect. Sperm exposed to 0.6 mg/mL of St. John's wort showed mutation of the BRCA1 exon 11 gene. CONCLUSION(S): High concentrations of St. John's wort, echinacea, and ginkgo had adverse effects on oocytes. Saw palmetto had no effect. The data suggested that St. John's wort, ginkgo, and echinacea at high concentrations damage reproductive cells. St. John's wort was mutagenic to sperm cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Complementary and alternative interventions in asthma, allergy, and immunology.

OBJECTIVE: To review which herbs are most commonly used as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treatment of asthma, allergy, and immunologic conditions. DATA SOURCES: A review of the literature was performed using the PubMed and OVID databases searching the keywords asthma, allergy, and CAM to identify studies published between 1980 and 2003 that focused on Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea); garlic (Allium); angelica; chamomile; ephedra; gingko; grape seed extract; licorice root (Glycyrrhiza); St. John's wort (Hypericum); kava kava (Piper); peppermint oil and leaf (Mentha); stinging nettle (Urtica); and ginseng (Panax) published in the English and German literature. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included in vitro and in vivo clinical trials and case reports selected according to the expert opinion of the author. RESULTS: Echinacea is one of the most common herbs used to treat symptoms of the "common cold" or upper respiratory tract allergies. Although no common drug interactions have been reported, there is a risk of hepatotoxicity, exacerbation of allergies and asthma, and anaphylactic reactions. Garlic is primarily used for cardiovascular health and relief of cough, colds, and rhinitis. Adverse effects commonly include gastrointestinal disturbances, change in body odor through the sweat and breath, and rarely allergic reactions or hypoglycemia. Other CAM agents, including angelica, German chamomile flower, ephedra, gingko, grape seed extract, licorice root, St. John's wort, kava kava rhizome, peppermint, stinging nettle, and ginseng, are also associated with significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The specialty of allergy and immunology has seen the second largest increase in the popularity of CAM (second only to practitioners who treat lower back pain). Almost all of the CAM interventions have displayed adverse effects, usually in the form of a hypersensitivity reaction. Allergists and clinical immunologists need to become more knowledgeable about CAM so that they can inform patients about the use and possible abuse of these modalities.

Asthma↗