Echinacea plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents: From traditional medicine to biotechnological applications

Use of herbal medication in the perioperative period: Potential adverse drug interactions

Use of herbal medications and supplements has experienced immense growth over the last two decades, with retail sales in the USA exceeding $13 billion in 2021. Since the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 reduced FDA oversight, these products have become less regulated. Data from 2012 shows 18% of U.S. adults used non-vitamin, non-mineral natural products. Prevalence varies regionally, with higher use in Western states. Among preoperative patients, the most commonly used herbal medications included garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort, and echinacea. However, 50-70% of surgical patients fail to disclose their use of herbal medications to their physicians, and most fail to discontinue them preoperatively. Since herbal medications can interact with anesthetic medications administered during surgery, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) recommend stopping herbal medications 1-2 weeks before elective surgical procedures. Potential adverse drug effects related to preoperative use of herbal medications involve the coagulation system (e.g., increasing the risk of perioperative bleeding), the cardiovascular system (e.g., arrhythmias, hypotension, hypertension), the central nervous system (e.g., sedation, confusion, seizures), pulmonary (e.g., coughing, bronchospasm), renal (e.g., diuresis) and endocrine-metabolic (e.g., hepatic dysfunction, altered metabolism of anesthetic drugs). During the preoperative evaluation, anesthesiologists should inquire about the use of herbal medications to anticipate potential adverse drug interactions during the perioperative period.

Effects of a Protocol Combining a Non-Irritating Shampoo and an Adelmidrol-Based Adsorbent Mousse on Seborrhoea and Other Signs and Symptoms Secondary to Canine Atopic Dermatitis: A Multicenter, Open-Label Uncontrolled Clinical Trial

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of a gentle shampoo and a mousse containing Adelmidrol, tapioca starch and a non-prescription antimicrobial complex on seborrhoea and other clinical signs secondary to canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Forty-six dogs with cAD-associated seborrhoea and/or pruritus > 4 cm on the pruritus visual analogue scale (P-VAS) and/or bacterial/Malassezia overgrowth were enrolled. The mousse was applied twice daily, and dogs were evaluated at days (D)0, 7, 14 and optionally 28, by means of a skin seborrheic index (SSI), P-VAS, cAD lesion index (CADLI), and a semiquantitative cytological score. The mean SSI value improved during the first two weeks (4.1 ± 0.37 to 1.9 ± 0.30; p < 0.0001). The mean P-VAS score (cm) decreased from 6.6 ± 0.19 at D0 to 3.8 ± 0.31 at D14 (p < 0.0001). The mean CADLI score dropped from 13.7 ± 1.24 to 8.5 ± 1.14 at D14 (p < 0.001). The cytological score for bacteria and Malassezia decreased from 3.2 ± 0.10 and 3.2 ± 0.11, respectively, to 1.2 ± 0.19 and 1.2 ± 0.24 (p < 0.0001). All the investigated signs further improved at D28. Altogether, these observations suggest that the tested protocol might be useful in managing cAD-associated signs.

Analytical Assessment of the Antioxidant Properties of the Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench) Grown with Various Mulch Materials

Antioxidants are added to foods to decrease the adverse effect of reactive species that create undesirable compounds that destroy essential nutrients and, therefore, lower the nutritional, chemical and physical properties of foods. This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant properties of flowers and plant stems with leaves of Echinacea purpurea grown with mulches of different colours and thicknesses. Coneflowers were grown in the Experimental Station of the Agricultural University in Kraków, Poland. The mulching materials used were black, green and brown colours of 100 g/m2 and 80 g/m2 density. In plant material, e.g., flowers or plant stems plus leaves the proximate analysis, the total polyphenol content and the ability to scavenge free radicals (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP) were determined. The results show that flower samples had a higher content of compound proteins, ash and phenolic compounds. The mulching colour and density did not affect the proximate analysis of the E. purpurea plant. Based on the result of this study, E. purpurea is a potential source of natural antioxidants and can be used to improve the antioxidant activity of various food products as well as in cosmetics within the pharmaceutical industry.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Phytoactive Compounds on Human Health: A Narrative Review Integrated with Bioinformatics Approach

BACKGROUND

Immunomodulation is the modification of immune responses to control disease progression. While the synthetic immunomodulators have proven efficacy, they are coupled with toxicity and other adverse effects, and hence, the efforts were to identify natural phytochemicals with immunomodulatory potential.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the immunomodulatory properties of various phytochemicals and investigate them in Echinacea species extracts using an in silico approach.

METHODOLOGY

Several scientific database repositories were searched using different keywords: "Phytochemicals," "Alkaloids," "Polyphenols," "Flavonoids," "Lectins," "Glycosides," "Tannins," "Terpenoids," "Sterols," "Immunomodulators," and "Human Immune System" without any language restriction. Additionally, the study specifically investigated the immunomodulatory properties of Echinacea species extracts using gene expression analysis of GSE12259 from NCBI-GEO through the Bioconductor package GEOquery and limma.

RESULTS

A total of 182 studies were comprehensively analyzed to understand immunomodulatory phytochemicals. The in silico analysis highlighted key biological processes (positive regulation of cytokine production, response to tumor necrosis factor) and molecular functions (cytokine receptor binding, receptor-ligand activity, and cytokine activity) among Echinacea species extracts contributing to immune responses. Further, it also indicated the association of various metabolic pathways, i.e., pathways in cancer, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NF-kappa B, PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways, with immune responses. The study revealed various hub targets, including CCL20, CCL4, GCH1, SLC7A11, SOD2, EPB41L3, TNFAIP6, GCLM, EGR1, and FOS.

CONCLUSION

The present study presents a cumulative picture of phytochemicals with therapeutic benefits. Additionally, the study also reported a few novel genes and pathways in Echinacea extracts by re-analyzing GSE 12259 indicating its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immunomodulatory properties.

Phytochemical Analysis of Anacamptis coriophora Plant Cultivated Using Ex Vitro Symbiotic Propagation

This study aims to investigate the functional groups and phytochemical profile of Anacamptis coriophora seeds, tubers, and flowers. Symbiotic seedlings produced using the ex vitro method were transferred to their natural habitat and grown to analyze the functional groups and phytochemical profiles of tubers and flowers. The life cycles of the transferred seedlings were monitored, and tubers and flowers were harvested for analysis. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of functional groups such as polysaccharides, lignin, and proteins in both tubers and flowers. Differences in spectral frequencies between first-year and second-year tubers were observed. Fatty acid analysis identified 30 different compounds in seeds, flowers, and tubers, with linoleic acid being the most abundant (27 % in seeds, 33 % in tubers), and palmitic acid present in flowers (24 %). GC-MS analysis of ethanol extracts from these components highlighted the presence of 32 compounds, including hydroxyacetic acid, hydrazide, cytidine (Z)-7-hexadecenal, 2,2-dimethoxyethane, 2,5,6-trimethyldecane, and butanamide, 4-amino-N-hydroxy. A. coriophora's tubers, flowers, and seeds may contain active metabolites with therapeutic potential. These results are valuable for the commercial cultivation of the plant.

Protective effects of royal jelly and Echinacea against moxifloxacin-induced renal and hepatic injury in rats

Antibiotic use, especially fluoroquinolones, has been linked to extensive renal and hepatic injury thus inflicts a considerable health problem. Fifty rats were allocated into five groups (n = 10). Group 1 represented the normal-control group. Group 2 received moxifloxacin only (MOX; 8 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for seven days and represented the MOX-control group. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received MOX for seven days accompanied by royal jelly (RJ; 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.), Echinacea (ECH; 40 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and a combination of both at the aforementioned doses respectively for 30 days. All groups were investigated for renal and hepatic function tests. Renal tissue content of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) along with renal and hepatic tissue contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed for all groups. Histopathological examination was performed followed by immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 in renal and hepatic tissues. MOX administration resulted in significant renal and hepatic damage. RJ and ECH significantly improved the serum parameters of renal and hepatic functions along with increasing GSH and decreasing MDA in renal and hepatic tissues. Renal contents of KIM-1 were also reduced. Moreover, RJ, ECH, and their combination amended MOX-induced histopathological changes and significantly reduced caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining in both renal and hepatic tissues. The current study is the first to elucidate the effect of RJ, ECH, and their combination against MOX-induced renal and hepatic injury in rats. The study suggests that these protective effects are mainly via the reduction of oxidative stress induced by MOX administration.

Plasmopara echinaceae, a new species of downy mildew affecting cone flowers (Echinacea purpurea) in the United States

Downy mildew is one of the most important diseases of commercial sunflower and other Asteraceae hosts, including ornamental Rudbeckia. Plasmopara halstedii has historically been identified as the causal agent of this disease, considered a complex of species affecting nearly 35 genera in various tribes. However, with the use of molecular DNA characters for phylogenetic studies, distinct lineages of P. halstedii in the Asteraceae have been identified, confirmed as distinct or segregated as new species. During August of 2022, a downy mildew was observed on potted Echinacea purpurea grown in a retail greenhouse in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, USA. Phylogenetic analyses of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA (nc LSU rDNA) gene regions indicated these Plasmopara sp. isolates are not conspecific with P. halstedii. Based on phylogenetic evidence and new host association, the Plasmopara isolates from E. purpurea are here described as Plasmopara echinaceae. Diagnostic morphological characters for this new species were not observed when compared with other isolates of P. halstedii or other Plasmopara species found on Asteraceae hosts, and therefore a list of species-specific substitutions in the cox2 region are provided as diagnostic characters. As this study corresponds to the first observation of downy mildew in cone flowers, it is recommended to follow the required disease prevention guidelines to prevent outbreaks and the establishment of this plant pathogen in production sites. Citation: Salgado-Salazar C, Romberg MK, Hudelson B (2023). Plasmopara echinaceae, a new species of downy mildew affecting cone flowers (Echinacea purpurea) in the United States. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 203-217. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.10.

Volatile Composition, Antimicrobial Activity, and In Vitro Innate Immunomodulatory Activity of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Essential Oils

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a medicinal plant commonly used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, the common cold, sore throat, migraine, colic, stomach cramps, and toothaches and the promotion of wound healing. Based on the known pharmacological properties of essential oils (EOs), we hypothesized that E. purpurea EOs may contribute to these medicinal properties. In this work, EOs from the flowers of E. purpurea were steam-distilled and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), GC with flame-ionization detection (GC-FID), and chiral GC-MS. The EOs were also evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial and innate immunomodulatory activity. About 87 compounds were identified in five samples of the steam-distilled E. purpurea EO. The major components of the E. purpurea EO were germacrene D (42.0 ± 4.61%), α-phellandrene (10.09 ± 1.59%), β-caryophyllene (5.75 ± 1.72%), γ-curcumene (5.03 ± 1.96%), α-pinene (4.44 ± 1.78%), δ-cadinene (3.31 ± 0.61%), and β-pinene (2.43 ± 0.98%). Eleven chiral compounds were identified in the E. purpurea EO, including α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, α-phellandrene, limonene, β-phellandrene, α-copaene, β-elemene, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and δ-cadinene. Analysis of E. purpurea EO antimicrobial activity showed that they inhibited the growth of several bacterial species, although the EO did not seem to be effective for Staphylococcus aureus. The E. purpurea EO and its major components induced intracellular calcium mobilization in human neutrophils. Additionally, pretreatment of human neutrophils with the E. purpurea EO or (+)-δ-cadinene suppressed agonist-induced neutrophil calcium mobilization and chemotaxis. Moreover, pharmacophore mapping studies predicted two potential MAPK targets for (+)-δ-cadinene. Our results are consistent with previous reports on the innate immunomodulatory activities of β-caryophyllene, α-phellandrene, and germacrene D. Thus, this study identified δ-cadinene as a novel neutrophil agonist and suggests that δ-cadinene may contribute to the reported immunomodulatory activity of E. purpurea.

ECHOPvir: A Mixture of Echinacea and Hop Extracts Endowed with Cytoprotective, Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Properties

Respiratory viral infections continue to pose significant challenges, particularly for more susceptible and immunocompromised individuals. Nutraceutical strategies have been proposed as promising strategies to mitigate their impact and improve public health. In the present study, we developed a mixture of two hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (ECP) and the cones of Humulus lupulus L. (HOP) that can be harnessed in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases. The ECP/HOP mixture (named ECHOPvir) was characterized for the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties in airway cells. Moreover, the immunomodulating properties of the mixture in murine macrophages against antioxidant and inflammatory stimuli and its antiviral efficacy against the PR8/H1N1 influenza virus were assayed. The modulation of the Nrf2 was also investigated as a mechanistic hypothesis. The ECP/HOP mixture showed a promising multitarget bioactivity profile, with combined cytoprotective, antioxidant, immunomodulating and antiviral activities, likely due to the peculiar phytocomplexes of both ECP and HOP, and often potentiated the effect of the single extracts. The Nrf2 activation seemed to trigger these cytoprotective properties and suggest a possible usefulness in counteracting the damage caused by different stressors, including viral infection. Further studies may strengthen the interest in this product and underpin its future nutraceutical applications.

Advancing herbal medicine: enhancing product quality and safety through robust quality control practices

This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the significance of quality control in herbal medication products, focusing on its role in maintaining efficiency and safety. With a historical foundation in traditional medicine systems, herbal remedies have gained widespread popularity as natural alternatives to conventional treatments. However, the increasing demand for these products necessitates stringent quality control measures to ensure consistency and safety. This comprehensive review explores the importance of quality control methods in monitoring various aspects of herbal product development, manufacturing, and distribution. Emphasizing the need for standardized processes, the manuscript delves into the detection and prevention of contaminants, the authentication of herbal ingredients, and the adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, it highlights the integration of traditional knowledge and modern scientific approaches in achieving optimal quality control outcomes. By emphasizing the role of quality control in herbal medicine, this manuscript contributes to promoting consumer trust, safeguarding public health, and fostering the responsible use of herbal medication products.

Chitosan/Pectin Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Echinacea pallida: a Focus on Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity Against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In recent years, the alarming spread of antibiotic resistance has posed a grave global threat to public health, resulting in millions of fatalities worldwide. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms have emerged due to the broad spread of resistance and the sharing of resistance genes between various varieties of bacteria. A promising strategy for treating difficult-to-treat bacterial infections is the development of nanomaterial-based therapeutics that could circumvent existing pathways linked to acquire drug resistance. The objectives of this study were to prepare chitosan/pectin-encapsulated Echinacea pallida (E. pallida) extract and evaluate its efficacy against MDR isolates. E. pallida extract was encapsulated into chitosan (CS)/pectin (PN) nanoparticles (NPs) using the gelation technique in the present study. The synthesized NPs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopes (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the nanoparticles against S. aureus has been assessed and explored. In addition, the toxicity of synthetic NPs against HEK 93 cells was evaluated. The interactions between functional groups were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The CS/PN NPs were spherical with uniform surfaces, and their dimension ranged from 80 to 110 nm. The PDI of the E. pallida extract was 0.521, and its entrapment efficiency (EE%) was 84.35%. The synthesized CS/PN NPs exhibited antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against bacteria relevant to public health. In addition, the results demonstrated that the extract-containing NPs had no toxic impact on HEK-93 cells. The findings presented here should aid the development of novel plant extracts with enhanced stability and antibacterial activity, thereby reducing the need for antibiotics.

How to Naturally Support the Immune System in Inflammation-Essential Oils as Immune Boosters

Efficient functionality of the immune system is needed to fight against the development of infectious diseases, including, among others, serious recurrent chronic infections. Research has shown that many modern common diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and cardiovascular diseases, e.g., thromboembolism, cancer, obesity, or depression, are connected with inflammatory processes. Therefore, new, good stimulators of the immune system's response are sought. They include synthetic compounds as well as biological preparations such as lipopolysaccharides, enzymes, bacterial metabolites, and secondary metabolites of plants, demonstrating a multidirectional effect. Essential oils are characterized by many invaluable activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulating. Essential oils may stimulate the immune system via the utilization of their constituents, such as antibodies, cytokines, and dendritic cells. Some essential oils may stimulate the proliferation of immune-competent cells, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and B and T lymphocytes. This review is focused on the ability of essential oils to affect the immune system. It is also possible that essential oil components positively interact with recommended anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs. Thus, there is a need to explore possible synergies between essential oils and their active ingredients for medical use.

Correlation between Polyphenol Contents and Antioxidant Activities in Different Echinacea Purpurea Varieties

OBJECTIVE

Polyphenols are complex compounds containing multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups. They are widely distributed in plants and have antioxidant activities. Whether the antioxidant activities of the cultivated varieties of Echinacea are similar to or better than those of the wild ones and the relationship between the accumulation of polyphenols and their antioxidant activities are still not clear.

METHODS

Folin-Ciocalteu method, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6)-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, and Fe2+ chelating ability assay were used, respectively, to detect the total polyphenols and 5 kinds of caffeic acid derivatives (chicoric acid, caffeic acid, caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, and the antioxidant activities of 3 varieties of Echinacea: E. purpurea L., cultivar E. purpurea 'Aloha', and E. purpurea 'White Swan'.

RESULTS

E. purpurea L. had the highest contents of total polyphenols, 5 caffeic acid derivatives and antioxidant activities, followed by E. purpurea 'White Swan' and E. purpurea 'Aloha', respectively. E. purpurea 'White Swan' had the strongest ability to remove the DPPH, ABTS•+ and free radicals, and to chelate Fe2+; E. purpurea L. had the strongest ability to reduce FRAP. The correlation analyses revealed that the contents of total polyphenols and caffeic acid derivatives of E. purpurea L. and E. purpurea 'White Swan' were correlated with their antioxidant activities.

CONCLUSION

E. purpurea L. was the most appropriate material for the development of medicinal plants. E. purpurea 'White Swan' could be used as a substitute for E. purpurea L. in terms of its antioxidant activity.

Enhancing bioavailability of natural extracts for nutritional applications through dry powder inhalers (DPI) spray drying: technological advancements and future directions

Natural ingredients have many applications in modern medicine and pharmaceutical projects. However, they often have low solubility, poor chemical stability, and low bioavailability in vivo. Spray drying technology can overcome these challenges by enhancing the properties of natural ingredients. Moreover, drug delivery systems can be flexibly designed to optimize the performance of natural ingredients. Among the various drug delivery systems, dry powder inhalation (DPI) has attracted much attention in pharmaceutical research. Therefore, this review will focus on the spray drying of natural ingredients for DPI and discuss their synthesis and application.

Antimicrobial activity in Asterceae: The selected genera characterization and against multidrug resistance bacteria

Plants from the Asteraceae family are widely used as ethno medicines to treatment parasitic, malaria, hematemesis, pruritus, pyretic, anthelmintic, wound healing. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of Asteraceae plants antimicrobial activity. The most relevant results from the published studies are summarized and discussed. The species in genus of Artemisia, Echinacea, Centaurea, Baccharis, and Calendula showed antimicrobial activity. Most of these species are usually used as ethno medicines to treat infection, inflammation, and parasitics. The effective part or component for antimicrobial was essential oil and crude extract, and essential oil attracted more attention. It was also reported that nanoparticles coated with crude extract were effective against multidrug resistant bacteria. For multidrug resistant bacteria study, the species in Armtemisia were the most investigated, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most studied multidrug resistant strains. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated mainly based on the results of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Few reports have been reported on minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) and its antibacterial mechanisms. According to the reported study results, some plants in Asteraceae have the potential to be developed as bacteriostatic agents and against multidrug resistant bacteria. However, most studies are still in vitro, further clinical and applied studies are needed.

Identification and characterization of immune-related microRNAs in hybrid snakehead(Channa maculata♀ × Channa argus♂)after treated by Echinacea purpurea (Linn.) Moench

Echinacea purpurea (Linn.) Moench (EP) is a globally popular herbal medicine, which showed effects on growth promotion, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities in fish culture world widely. However, there are few studies about the effects on miRNAs by EP in fish. The hybrid snakehead fish (Channa maculate♀ × Channa argus ♂) was new important economic specie of freshwater aquaculture in China with high market value and demand while there were only a few reports about its miRNAs. To overview immune-related miRNAs of the hybrid snakehead fish and to further understand the immune regulating mechanism of EP, we herein constructed and analyzed three small RNA libraries of immune tissues including liver, spleen and head kidney of the fish with or without EP treatment via Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. Results showed that EP can affect the immune activities of fish by the miRNA-regulated ways. Totally, 67 (47 up and 20 down) miRNAs in liver, 138 (55 up and 83 down) miRNAs in spleen, and 251 (15 up and 236 down) miRNAs in spleen were detected, as well as 30, 60, 139 kinds of immune-related miRNAs belonging to 22, 35 and 66 families of the three tissues respectively. The expressions of 8 immune-related miRNA family members were found in all the three tissues, including miR-10, miR-133, miR-22 and etc. Some miRNAs have been identified involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses, such as the miR-125, miR-138, and miR-181 family. Ten miRNA families with antioxidant target genes were also discovered, including miR-125, miR-1306, and miR-138, etc. Results from Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis further confirmed there are a majority immune response targets of the miRNAs involved in the EP treatment process. Our study deepened understanding roles of miRNAs in fish immune system and provides new ideas for the study of immune mechanism of EP.

Electrosprayed Nanoparticles Containing Hydroalcoholic Extract of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Stimulates Immune System by Increasing Inflammatory Factors in Male Wistar Rats

Purpose: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a member of the Asteraceae family and is traditionally used mainly due to its immunostimulatory properties. Various compounds including alkylamides and chicoric acid were reported as active ingredients of E. purpurea. Here, we aimed to prepare electrosprayed nanoparticles (NPs) containing hydroalcoholic extract of E. purpurea using Eudragit RS100 (EP-Eudragit RS100 NPs) to improve the immunomodulatory effects of the extract. Methods: The EP-Eudragit RS100 NPs with the different extract:polymer ratios and solution concentrations were prepared using the electrospray technique. The size and morphology of the NPs were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). To evaluate the immune responses, male Wistar rats were administrated with the prepared EP-Eudragit RS100 NPs and plain extract in the final dose of 30 or 100 mg/kg. The blood samples of the animals were collected and the inflammatory factors and complete blood count (CBC) were investigated. Results: In vivo studies indicated that the plain extract and EP-Eudragit RS100 NPs (100 mg/kg) significantly increased the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1-β (IL1-β) whereas the EP-Eudragit RS100 NPs (30 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of white blood cells (WBCs) compared to the control group. Lymphocytes' count in all groups was increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05) whereas other CBC parameters remained unchanged. Conclusion: The prepared EP-Eudragit RS100 NPs by electrospray technique caused significant reinforcement in the immunostimulatory effects of the extract of E. purpurea.

Essential Oils from Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae and Lamiaceae Families Grown in Serbia: Comparative Chemical Profiling with In Vitro Antioxidant Activity

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical profile and antioxidant activity of essential oils obtained from the most commonly grown plant species in Serbia. Aromatic and medicinal plants from Lamiaceae (Mentha x Piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Satureja hortensis, Satureja montana and Thymus vulgaris), Asteraceae (Ehinacea purpurea and Matricaria chamomilla), Apiaceae (Anethum graveolens, Carum carvi, Foeniculum vulgare, Petroselinum crispum and Pimpinella anisum) and Cupressaceae (Juniperus comunis) were selected as raw material for essential oils (EOs)' isolation. Hydrodistillation (HD) was used for the isolation of EOs while they were evaluated in terms of yield and terpenoid profiles by GC-MS. In vitro radical scavenging DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical activities were carried out for all EOs. Finally, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed with the experimental results of the composition and antioxidant activity of the EOs, which showed a clear distinction between the selected plant species for the aforementioned responses. This work represents a screening tool for the selection of other EO candidates for further processing by emerging extraction techniques and the use of EOs as natural additives for meat products.

Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties of the Hydroalcoholic Solution of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. and Propolis from Northern Italy

In this study, for the first time, the chemical composition of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. and propolis (EAP) hydroalcoholic solution from the Trentino Alto Adige region of northern Italy was investigated by using SPME-GC-MS to describe the volatile content and GC-MS after silylation to detect the non-volatile compounds in the extractable organic matter. The antimicrobial activity of EAP hydroalcoholic solution was evaluated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination on 13 type strains, food and clinical isolates. Time Kill Kinetics (TKK) assays and the determination on swimming and swarming motility for 48 h gave more details on the mode of action of EAP solution. The results highlighted the presence of some terpenes and a large number of compounds belonging to different chemical classes. Among these, sugars and organic acids excelled. The EAP hydroalcoholic solution exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity in terms of MIC, with a clear decrease in the cellular load after 48 h. However, the bacterial motility may not be affected by the EAP treatment, displaying a dynamic swarming and swimming motility capacity over time. Given the complexity of chemical profile and the strong antimicrobial effectiveness, the EAP hydroalcoholic solution can be considered a source of bioactive molecules, deserving further investigation for the versatility of application.

Effect of Echinacea on gut microbiota of immunosuppressed ducks

Introduction

Immunosuppression puts animals in a susceptible state and disrupts the balance of intestinal flora, which can increase the risk of disease and cause serious harm to the farm. Echinacea can exert its immunomodulatory effect in various ways, but its influence on intestinal flora is unclear.

Methods

Therefore, we investigated the effect of Echinacea extract (EE) on gut microbiota in immunosuppressed ducks by 16s-RNA sequencing in this experiment.

Results

The results showed that EE significantly improved the weight gain of immunosuppressed ducks (p<0.001). It also increased the immune organ index (p<0.01) and upregulated the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ (p<0.05) as well as IL-2 in the serum. The lesions of the bursa were evident compared to the spleen and thymus. After treatment in the EE group, the lymphocyte count of the bursa returned to healthy levels and the lesions were significantly improved. The diversity analysis showed that neither of the alpha-diversity indices showed a significant difference (p>0.05). However, the EE group had a trend closer to the healthy group compared to the M group. β-diversity analysis revealed a high degree of sample separation between the healthy and immunosuppressed groups. The sequencing result showed a significantly higher relative abundance of Prevotella and Prevotella_UCG_001 in the dexamethasone-treated group, which could be potential biomarkers of dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression. EE increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Alistipes and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Megamonas, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The results showed that Echinacea extract improves the development of immunosuppressed ducks and modulates intestinal immune function by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacterial genera in the intestine.

Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Studies of Selected Botanical Dietary Supplements Used in the United States

Based on their current wide bioavailability, botanical dietary supplements have become an important component of the United States healthcare system, although most of these products have limited scientific evidence for their use. The most recent American Botanical Council Market Report estimated for 2020 a 17.3% increase in sales of these products when compared to 2019, for a total sales volume of $11,261 billion. The use of botanical dietary supplements products in the United States is guided by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) from 1994, enacted by the U.S. Congress with the aim of providing more information to consumers and to facilitate access to a larger number of botanical dietary supplements available on the market than previously. Botanical dietary supplements may be formulated for and use only using crude plant samples (e.g., plant parts such as the bark, leaves, or roots) that can be processed by grinding into a dried powder. Plant parts can also be extracted with hot water to form an "herbal tea." Other preparations of botanical dietary supplements include capsules, essential oils, gummies, powders, tablets, and tinctures. Overall, botanical dietary supplements contain bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse chemotypes that typically are found at low concentration levels. These bioactive constituents usually occur in combination with inactive molecules that may induce synergy and potentiation of the effects observed when botanical dietary supplements are taken in their different forms. Most of the botanical dietary supplements available on the U.S. market have been used previously as herbal remedies or as part of traditional medicine systems from around the world. Their prior use in these systems also provides a certain level of assurance in regard to lower toxicity levels. This chapter will focus on the importance and diversity of the chemical features of bioactive secondary metabolites found in botanical dietary supplements that are responsible for their applications. Many of the active principles of botanical dietary substances are phenolics and isoprenoids, but glycosides and some alkaloids are also present. Biological studies on the active constituents of selected botanical dietary supplements will be discussed. Thus, the present chapter should be of interest for both members of the natural products scientific community, who may be performing development studies of the products available, as well as for healthcare professionals who are directly involved in the analysis of botanical interactions and evaluation of the suitability of botanical dietary supplements for human consumption.

Novel Echinacea formulations for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in adults-A randomized blinded controlled trial

Background

Echinacea purpurea has clinical antiviral activity against respiratory viruses and modulates immune functions. In this study, we compared higher doses of new Echinacea formulations with conventional formulations at lower, preventive doses for therapy of respiratory tract infections (RTIs).

Methods

In this randomized, blinded, controlled trial, healthy adults (n = 409) were randomized between November 2018 and January 2019 to one of four Echinacea formulations, which were taken in case of an RTI for up to 10 days. New formulations A (lozenges) and B (spray) delivered an increased dose of 16,800 mg/d Echinacea extract during days 1-3 and 2,240-3,360 mg/d afterward; as controls, conventional formulations C (tablets) and D (drops) delivered a lower daily dose of 2,400 mg, usually taken for prevention. The primary endpoint was time to clinical remission of first RTI episodes based on the Kaplan-Meier analysis of patient-reported, investigator-confirmed, respiratory symptoms assessed for up to 10 days. In a sensitivity analysis, the mean time to remission beyond day 10 was calculated by extrapolating the treatment effects observed on days 7 to 10.

Results

A total of 246 participants (median age 32 years, 78% female participants) were treated for at least one RTI. Recovery by day 10 (complete absence of symptoms) was achieved in 56 and 44% of patients with the new and conventional formulations, respectively, showing a median time to recovery of 10 and 11 days, respectively (p = 0.10 in intention-to-treat analysis, p = 0.07 in per-protocol analysis). In the extrapolated sensitivity analysis, new formulations resulted in a significantly shorter mean time to remission (9.6 vs. 11.0 days, p < 0.001). Among those with an identified respiratory virus, viral clearance until day 10 based on real-time PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs was more frequent with new formulations (70 vs. 53%, p = 0.046). Tolerability and safety (adverse events: 12 vs. 6%, p = 0.19) were good and similar between formulations. There was one severe adverse event with a potential hypersensitivity reaction in a recipient of the novel spray formulation.

Conclusion

In adults with acute RTI, new Echinacea formulations with higher doses resulted in faster viral clearance than conventional formulations in prophylactic dosages. The trend for faster clinical recovery was not significant by day 10 but became so upon extrapolation. A dose increase during acute respiratory symptoms might improve the clinical benefits of orally administered Echinacea formulations.

Trial registration

The study was registered in the Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (SNCTP000003069) and on ClinicalTrials.gov (NTC03812900; URL https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03812900?cond=echinacea&draw=3&rank=14).

Ameliorative Effect of Ethanolic Echinacea purpurea against Hyperthyroidism-Induced Oxidative Stress via AMRK and PPAR Signal Pathway Using Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology Analysis

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) is a well-known botanical supplement with antioxidant characteristics. However, the effects of EP on oxidative stress induced by hyperthyroidism have not yet been studied. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidative effect of ethanolic Echinacea Purpurea (EEP) on hyperthyroidism-induced oxidative stress mice using an integrated strategy combining transcriptomics with network pharmacology analysis. Firstly, a hyperthyroidism mice model was induced via thyroxine (160 mg/kg) and EEP (1, 2, or 4 g/kg) once daily for 2 weeks. Body weight, thyroid-stimulating hormones, and oxidative stress markers were tested. Secondly, EEP regulating the potential genes at transcript level were analyzed. Thirdly, a network pharmacology based on the constituents of EEP identified using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis was adopted. Finally, a joint analysis was performed to identify the key pathway. The results showed that EEP significantly changed the thyroid-stimulating hormones and oxidative stress markers. Meanwhile, RT-qPCR and Western Blotting demonstrated that the mechanism of the antioxidant effect of EEP reversed the mRNA expression of EHHADH, HMGCR and SLC27A2 and the protein expression of FABP and HMGCR in AMPK and PPAR signaling pathways. This study integrates transcriptomics with network pharmacology to reveal the mechanism of ameliorative effect of EEP on hyperthyroidism-induced oxidative stress.

Microalgal Carotenoids: Therapeutic Application and Latest Approaches to Enhance the Production

Microalgae are microscopic photosynthetic organisms frequently found in fresh and marine water ecosystems. Various microalgal species have been considered a reservoir of diverse health-value products, including vitamins, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, and are broadly utilized as food and for the treatment of human ailments such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, allergies, and immunodeficiency. Microalgae-derived carotenoids are the type of accessory pigment that possess light-absorbing potential and play a significant role in metabolic functions. To date, nearly a thousand carotenoids have been reported, but a very less number of microalgae have been used for the commercial production of carotenoids. This review article briefly discussed the carotenoids of microalgal origin and their therapeutic application. In addition, we have briefly compiled the optimization of culture parameters used to enhance microalgal carotenoid production. In addition, the latest biotechnological approaches used to improve the yields of carotenoid has also been discussed.

Application of HPLC Fingerprint Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition and Multi-Component Determination in Quality Evaluation of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

Echinacea purpurea (EP) is a common medicinal material for extracting anti-RSV components. However, up to now, there has been no effective and simple method to comprehensively reflect the quality of EP. In our current study, the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench samples from six different cultivation locations in China was evaluated by establishing a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint, combining chemical pattern recognition and multi-component determination. In this study, the chemical fingerprints of 15 common peaks were obtained using the similarity evaluation system of the chromatographic fingerprints of traditional Chinese medicine (2012A Edition). Among the 15 components, three phenolic acids (caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid and cichoric acid) were identified and determined. The similarity of fingerprints of 16 batches of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench samples ranged from 0.905 to 0.998. The similarity between fingerprints of five batches of commercially available Echinacea pupurea (L.) Moench and the standard fingerprint "R" ranged from 0.980 to 0.997, which proved the successful establishment of the fingerprint. PCA and HCA were performed with the relative peak areas of 15 common peaks (peak 3 as the reference peak) as variables. Anhui and Shaanxi can be successfully distinguished from the other four cultivation areas. In addition, the index components of caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid and cichoric acid were in the range of 1.77-8.60 mg/g, 0.02-0.20 mg/g and 2.27-15.87 mg/g. The results of multi-component index content determination show that the contents of the Shandong cultivation area were higher, followed by Gansu, Henan and Hebei, and the lowest were Anhui and Shaanxi. The results are consistent with PCA and HCA, which proved that the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench from different origins was different. HPLC fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition and multi-component content determination was a reliable, comprehensive and prospective method for evaluating the quality of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. This method provides a scientific basis for the quality control and evaluation of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.

Identification of cross-talk pathways and ferroptosis-related genes in periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus by bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation

Purpose

There is a bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to further explore the pathogenesis of this comorbidity, screen out ferroptosis-related genes involved in the pathological process, and predict potential drug targets to develop new therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Common cross-talk genes were identified from periodontitis datasets (GSE16134, GSE10334 and GSE106090) and T2DM databases (DisGeNET and GeneCard). Then, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, PPI network analysis and hub gene identification were performed. The association between ferroptosis and periodontitis with T2DM was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis. Core ferroptosis-related cross-talk genes were identified and verified by qRT-PCR. Potential drugs targeting these core genes were predicted via DGIDB.

Results

In total, 67 cross-talk genes and two main signalling pathways (immuno-inflammatory pathway and AGE-RAGE signalling pathway) were identified. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that ferroptosis served as a crucial target in the pathological mechanism and treatment of periodontitis with T2DM. IL-1β, IL-6, NFE2L2 and ALOX5 were identified as core ferroptosis-related genes and the qRT-PCR detection results were statistically different. In total, 13 potential drugs were screened out, among which, Echinacea and Ibudilast should be developed first.

Conclusions

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the common pathogenesis of periodontitis and T2DM and provides new insights into the role of ferroptosis in this comorbidity. In addition, two drugs with potential clinical application value were identified. The potential utility of these drugs requires further experimental investigation.

C3H Expression Is Crucial for Methyl Jasmonate Induction of Chicoric Acid Production by Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Cell Suspension Cultures

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is one of the most economically important medicinal plants, cultivated worldwide for its high medicinal value and with several industrial applications in both pharmaceutical and food industries. Thanks to its various phytochemical contents, including caffeic acid derivatives (CADs), E. purpurea extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immuno-stimulating properties. Among CADs, chicoric acid is one of the most important compounds which have shown important pharmacological properties. The present research was aimed at optimizing the production of chicoric acid in E. purpurea cell culture. Methyl jasmonate (MeJa) at different concentrations and for different duration of treatments was utilized as elicitor, and the content of total polyphenols and chicoric acid was measured. Several genes involved in the chicoric acid biosynthetic pathway were selected, and their expression evaluated at different time points of cell culture growth. This was performed with the aim of identifying the most suitable putative molecular markers to be used as a proxy for the early prediction of chicoric acid contents, without the need of expensive quantification methods. A correlation between the production of chicoric acid in response to MeJa and an increased response to oxidative stress was also proposed.

Phytochemicals as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Animal Production

Despite the continuous improvement of feed diets and recipes, animal health problems persist. For their treatment, antibiotics and chemotherapy have been shown to have side effects hard to control. The antibiotic residues in animal products may endanger human health. Since the antibiotics were restricted in animals’ diets, which were previously used to keep under control digestive and respiratory pathologies, as well as allergies, so the researchers began to search for natural alternatives. Thus, it was developed the concept of phytoadditives, and these natural plant extracts are gaining ground in animal farming. Since then, more and more animal breeders and farms are willing to use various types of phytoadditives. This chapter aims to present the most widely used phytochemicals in animal nutrition, their effects on animal production and health, and to make some recommendations on the use of phytochemicals in farm animals’ diets.

Refined polysaccharide from Dendrobium devonianum resists H1N1 influenza viral infection in mice by activating immunity through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway

Dendrobium polysaccharide exhibits multiple biological activities, such as immune regulation, antioxidation, and antitumor. However, its resistance to viral infection by stimulating immunity is rarely reported. In this study, we explored the effect and mechanism of DVP-1, a novel polysaccharide from Dendrobium devonianum, in the activation of immunity. After being activated by DVP-1, the ability of mice to prevent H1N1 influenza virus infection was investigated. Results of immune regulation showed that DVP-1 significantly improved the immune organ index, lymphocyte proliferation, and mRNA expression level of cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α in the spleen. Immunohistochemical results showed that DVP-1 obviously promoted the mucosal immunity in the jejunum tissue. In addition, the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, and TRAF6 and the phosphorylation levels of TAK1, Erk, JNK, and NF-κB in the spleen were upregulated by DVP-1. The virus infection results showed that the weight loss of mice slowed down, the survival rate increased, the organ index of the lung reduced, and the virus content in the lung decreased after DVP-1 activated immunity. By activating immunity with DVP-1, the production of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors in BALF, and alveolar as well as peribronchiolar inflammation could be prevented. The results manifested that DVP-1 could resist H1N1 influenza virus infection by activating immunity through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Polysaccharide from Echinacea purpurea plant ameliorates oxidative stress-induced liver injury by promoting Parkin-dependent autophagy

BACKGROUND

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose represents one of the most common drug-induced liver injuries (DILI) worldwide. Oxidative damage to the hepatocytes and their resultant autophagy are the key components in the APAP-induced DILI. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPPS), the component extracted from the root of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, shows various biological functions including immunoregulation and antioxidant activity.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to elucidate the protective effect of EPPS against APAP-induced DILI and the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

EPPS attenuates APAP overdose induced DILI in mice and ameliorates inflammation and oxidative stress in mice with APAP overdose-induced DILI. Furthermore, EPPS protected the hepatocytes against APAP-induced liver injury by suppressing apoptosis. EPPS ameliorates APAP-induced DILI via an autophagy-dependent mechanism in vivo and increases autophagy with a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro. Parkin knockdown prevents the autophagic-dependent manner of EPPS effects in APAP-treated hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

EPPS exhibited a strong hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced DILI and was correlated with reduction of autophagy-dependent oxidant response, inflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, the findings indicated that EPPS exerts its hepatoprotective effect against APAP mainly via Parkin-dependent autophagy, and the use of EPPS can serve as a promising novel therapeutic strategy for APAP-induced DILI.

Effectivity of polyphenolic polysaccharide-proteins isolated from medicinal plants as potential cellular immune response modulators

Traditional medicinal herbs as Echinacea purpurea and Erigeron canadensis are recommended as a complementary supplementation for the treatment of diseases associated with immunological inflammation (e.g. common cold, coughs, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, immunodeficiencies). This pathologic conditions are accompanied by the wide range of malfunctions or imbalances of the immune system, thus there is increased necessity for search of novel immunomodulation trends and immunopharmacologically active phytosubstances for effective pharmaco-immunomodulatory therapy. Anti-inflammatory immunobiological activity of polyphenolic polysaccharide-proteins of Echinacea purpurea and Erigeron canadensis are still not studied. Our results demonstrated the immunobiological effectivity of selected herbal polyphenolic polysaccharide-proteins isolated from flowers of medicinal plants Echinacea purpurea and Erigeron canadensis resulting into the significant immunostimulation of inflammatory TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß and IL-12 cytokines (p < 0.001). Both herbal polyphenolic polysaccharide-proteins triggered cell release of anti-inflammatory interleukin IL-10 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the inductive cell release of growth factors M-CSF and GM-CSF has been demonstrated (p < 0.001). E. purpurea and E. canadensis polyphenolic polysaccharide-proteins accelerated the efficacy of cellular phagocytosis and free radical release, more pronounced with Erigeron treatment.

Prospective Medicinal Plants and Their Phytochemicals Shielding Autoimmune and Cancer Patients Against the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Special Focus on Matcha

Background

Being "positive" has been one of the most frustrating words anyone could hear since the end of 2019. This word had been overused globally due to the high infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2. All citizens are at risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, but a red warning sign has been directed towards cancer and immune-compromised patients in particular. These groups of patients are not only more prone to catch the virus but also more predisposed to its deadly consequences, something that urged the research community to seek other effective and safe solutions that could be used as a protective measurement for cancer and autoimmune patients during the pandemic.

Aim

The authors aimed to turn the spotlight on specific herbal remedies that showed potential anticancer activity, immuno-modulatory roles, and promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 actions.

Methodology

To attain the purpose of the review, the research was conducted at the States National Library of Medicine (PubMed). To search databases, the descriptors used were as follows: "COVID-19"/"SARS-CoV-2", "Herbal Drugs", "Autoimmune diseases", "Rheumatoid Arthritis", "Asthma", "Multiple Sclerosis", "Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" "Nutraceuticals", "Matcha", "EGCG", "Quercetin", "Cancer", and key molecular pathways.

Results

This manuscript reviewed most of the herbal drugs that showed a triple action concerning anticancer, immunomodulation, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. Special attention was directed towards "matcha" as a novel potential protective and therapeutic agent for cancer and immunocompromised patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Conclusion

This review sheds light on the pivotal role of "matcha" as a tri-acting herbal tea having a potent antitumorigenic effect, immunomodulatory role, and proven anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, thus providing a powerful shield for high-risk patients such as cancer and autoimmune patients during the pandemic.

Antimicrobial activity of n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts from Candida tropicalis and Phyllosticta capitalensis fungal endophytes

Background ad objective: Among the notable achievements of the twentieth century was the discovery and identification of new drugs from plants against microbial infections. However, the discovery of novel drugs since then is inadequate due to emergence of resistant microbes. In an effort to discover novel drugs, the study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from endophytic fungi isolated from Cnidoscolas aconitifolius and Ocimum suave. Methods: Following morphological characterization and initial screening for antimicrobial activity, isolates that had higher inhibition were genotypes by Sanger sequencing. Two isolates (Candida tropicalis from O. suave and Phyllosticta capitalensis from C. aconitifolius) were tested for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results: Overall, the range of crude extract concentration was from 152 mg/mL to 1353 mg/mL, and that of a zone of inhibition was from 7 to 21 mm. The lowest minimum inhibition concentration (19>MIC>9.5) was observed in Phyllosticta spp. extract against S. aureus. Conclusions: Findings of the present study have shown that endophytes isolated from medicinal plants can generate secondary metabolites with therapeutic applications. Therefore, further investigations are warranted to decipher the content and structure of bioactive compounds that may be associated with the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts.

Modulation of Inflammation by Plant-Derived Nutraceuticals in Tendinitis

Tendinitis (tendinopathy) is a pro-inflammatory and painful tendon disease commonly linked with mechanical overuse and associated injuries, drug abuse, and lifestyle factors (including poor diet and physical inactivity) that causes significant healthcare expenditures due to its high incidence. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is one of the major pro-inflammatory transcription factors, along with other inflammation signaling pathways, triggered by a variety of stimuli, including cytokines, endotoxins, physical and chemical stressors, hypoxia, and other pro-inflammatory factors. Their activation is known to regulate the expression of a multitude of genes involved in inflammation, degradation, and cell death. The pathogenesis of tendinitis is still poorly understood, whereas efficient and sustainable treatment is missing. Targeting drug suppression of the key inflammatory regulators represents an effective strategy for tendinitis therapy, but requires a comprehensive understanding of their principles of action. Conventional monotherapies are often ineffective and associated with severe side effects in patients. Therefore, agents that modulate multiple cellular targets represent therapeutic treatment potential. Plant-derived nutraceuticals have been shown to act as multi-targeting agents against tendinitis via various anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, whereat they were able to specifically modulate numerous signaling pathways, including NF-κB, p38/MAPK, JNK/STAT3, and PI3K/Akt, thus down-regulating inflammatory processes. This review discusses the utility of herbal nutraceuticals that have demonstrated safety and tolerability as anti-inflammatory agents for the prevention and treatment of tendinitis through the suppression of catabolic signaling pathways. Limitations associated with the use of nutraceuticals are also described.

Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea Supplementation Combined with Vaginal Hyaluronic Acid to Boost the Remission of Cervical Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (L-SILs): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Objectives: Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea have known immunomodulatory effects which boost viral clearance, including HPV infection. However, evidence regarding the improvement due to Echinacea-based supplements of cervical HPV-related pathologies is still lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Echinacea supplementation on the remission of cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (L-SIL). Materials and Methods: A single-blind 1:1:1 parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Colposcopy Unit of a tertiary care referral center. Reproductive-aged women were allocated either to (a) an oral supplement based on Echinacea extracts plus vaginal hyaluronic acid-based soft gel capsules, (b) the Echinacea supplement alone, or (c) vaginal hyaluronic acid-based soft gel capsules alone for 3 months. The primary outcome was the regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)-1 for each treatment arm at 3, 6 and 12 months after the diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included changes in the epithelialization, pap smear, colposcopic parameters, histological reports, and vaginal health indexes (VHI) in the study groups. Results: 153 women (52 for arm A, 50 for arm B and 51 for arm C) completed the follow-up and were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in both primary and secondary outcomes for the three groups after 3 months. At the 6-month follow-up, the number of persistent CIN-1 diagnoses was significantly lower in arm A (15/51), rather than in arm B (23/48, p = 0.03) and C (27/49, p = 0.03). Similarly, the same effect was seen after 12 months for treatment A (5/51) relative to B (15/48, p = 0.03) and C (14/48, p = 0.03). Colposcopic, histological and vaginal parameters were all significantly improved at 6 and 12 months for arm A relative to B and C, while no beneficial effects were seen after 3 months. Conclusions: Echinacea extracts supplementation in women with L-SIL/CIN-1 significantly boosts HPV lesion clearance, reducing the overall amount of diagnosis, histological, colposcopic and vaginal parameters after 6 and 12 months. However, a limited sample size reduces the quality of evaluated evidence, emphasizing the need for additional studies to validate these findings.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench: Biological and Pharmacological Properties. A Review

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP)is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, commonly known as purple coneflower and it belongs to the Asteraceae family. The Echinacea genus is originally from North America, in the United States, and its species are widely distributed throughout. There are nine different species of Echinacea, but only three of them are used as medicinal plants with wide therapeutic uses: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. and Echinacea angustifolia DC. Several significant groups of bioactive compounds with pharmacological activities have been isolated from Echinacea species. Numerous beneficial effects have been demonstrated about these compounds. The immunomodulatory effect was initially demonstrated, but over time other effects have also been highlighted. The present review gives a comprehensive summary of the chemical constituents, bioactive compounds, biological effects and therapeutical uses of purple coneflower. Research shows that such a well-known and recognized species needs to be further studied to obtain efficient products with a guarantee of the safety.

Herbal Remedies, Nutraceuticals, and Dietary Supplements for COVID-19 Management: An Update

Currently, the world is facing a Coronavirus pandemic with a grave deficiency of specific therapy for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Moreover, scientists attempt to discover the most refined approach to prevent this condition. Regarding COVID-19 infection, herbal medicines with immunomodulatory effects may offer patients a promising preventive treatment option. Several ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are effective during this worrisome Coronavirus pandemic i.e. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Curcuma longa L. etc. TCM was shown to be utilized with over 90% efficacy when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020. In addition to herbal treatments and nutraceutical drugs, dietary supplements such as vitamins and amino acid derivatives also play a significant part in COVID-19 management. Diet can assist in regulating inflammation, while nutraceuticals can aid in the prevention of viral invasion. Functional amino acids (e.g., arginine, cysteine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, taurine, and tryptophan) and glutathione, which are all abundant in animal-sourced foodstuffs, are crucial for optimum immunity and health in humans and animals. The goal of this article is to thoroughly evaluate recent statistics on the effectiveness of herbal medicines in COVID-19, the antiviral activity of nutraceuticals, and the significance of these results in creating dietary supplements that would enhance innate immunity and contribute as preventive measures against severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Medicinal Plants for Prophylaxis and Therapy of Common Infectious Diseases In Poultry-A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies

Medicinal plants for prophylaxis and therapy of common infectious diseases in poultry have been studied for several years. The goal of this review was to systematically identify plant species and evaluate their potential in prophylaxis and therapy of common diseases in poultry caused by bacteria and gastrointestinal protozoa. The procedure followed the recommendations of the PRISMA statement and the AMSTAR measurement tool. The PICOS scheme was used to design the research questions. Two databases were consulted, and publications were manually selected, according to predefined in- and exclusion criteria. A scoring system was established to evaluate the remaining publications. Initially, 4197 identified publications were found, and 77 publications remained after manual sorting, including 38 publications with 70 experiments on bacterial infections and 39 publications with 78 experiments on gastrointestinal protozoa. In total, 83 plant species from 42 families were identified. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most frequently found families with Artemisia annua being the most frequently found plant, followed by Origanum vulgare. As compared to placebo and positive or negative control groups, antimicrobial effects were found in 46 experiments, prebiotic effects in 19 experiments, and antiprotozoal effects in 47 experiments. In summary, a total of 274 positive effects predominated over 241 zero effects and 37 negative effects. Data indicate that O. vulgare, Coriandrum sativum, A. annua, and Bidens pilosa are promising plant species for prophylaxis and therapy of bacterial and protozoal diseases in poultry.

Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process

Natural substances have traditionally been used in skin care for centuries. There is now an ongoing search for new natural bioactives that not only promote skin health but also protect the skin against various harmful factors, including ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Free radicals, by disrupting defence and restoration mechanisms, significantly contribute to skin damage and accelerate ageing. Natural compounds present in plants exhibit antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. The increased interest in plant chemistry is linked to the growing interest in plant materials as natural antioxidants. This review focuses on aromatic and medicinal plants as a source of antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules (including polysaccharides and peptides) as well as components of essential oils, and their role in skin health and the ageing process.

An Andrographolide from Helichrysum caespitium (DC.) Sond. Ex Harv., (Asteraceae) and Its Antimicrobial, Antiquorum Sensing, and Antibiofilm Potentials

Helichrysum caespititium (DC.) Sond. Ex Harv., (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa. Its non-polar extracts exhibit significant antimicrobial and, in particular, antigonorrheal activity. This study aimed at isolating and purifying the active antigonorrheal compound from its chloroform extract and validating its inhibition potential on quorum sensing (QS) and biofilm formation of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. Phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of H. caespititium afforded a diterpene lactone (CF6). The effect of CF6 on violacein production and biofilm formation was studied using in vitro quantitative violacein inhibition (Chromobacterium violaceum) and biofilm formation (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The structure of CF6 was characterized using FTIR, NMR, and UPLC-MS data accordingly, as 10-methyl-8-(propan-17-ylidene)naphthalen-9-yl)-11-vinyl-14-hydroxyfuran-16-one. The susceptibility testing of the pathogens against CF6 revealed Neisseria gonorrhoeae was noticeably susceptible with a MIC value of 60 µg/mL, while Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus showed MIC of 125 µg/mL. All gram-negative pathogens, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were inhibited at 250 µg/mL. CF6 also inhibited the production of violacein by 51.88% at 250 µg/mL and prevented cell attachment by 40.76-81.18%, with N. gonorrhoeae being highly prohibited from forming biofilm. In conclusion, 10-methyl-8-(propan-17-ylidene)naphthalen-9-yl)-11-vinyl-14-hydroxyfuran-16-one is the first of its kind to be isolated from the non-polar (chloroform) extract of South African Helichrysum caespititium with antigonorrheal, antimicrobial, antiquorum sensing, and antibiofilm properties. The compound may serve as a drug candidate against MDR pathogens.

Recent advancement on development of drug-induced macrophage polarization in control of human diseases

Macrophages, an important part of human immune system, possess a high plasticity and heterogeneity (macrophage polarization) as classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2), which exert pro-inflammatory/anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory/pro-tumor effects, respectively. Thus, drug development in induction of macrophage polarization could be used to treat different human diseases. This review summarizes the recent advancement on modulation of macrophage polarization and its related molecular mechanisms induced by a number of agents. Research on the anti-inflammatory drugs to regulate the macrophage polarization accounts for a large proportion in the field and types of diseases investigated could include atherosclerosis, enteritis, nephritis, and the nervous system and skeletal diseases, while study of the anti-tumor agents to modify macrophage polarization is a novel area of research. Future study of the molecular mechanisms by which the different agents regulate the macrophage polarization could lead to an effective control of various human diseases, including inflammation and cancers.

Physical Activity and Nutritional Influence on Immune Function: An Important Strategy to Improve Immunity and Health Status

Physical activity (PA) and nutrition are the essential components of a healthy lifestyle, as they can influence energy balance, promote functional ability of various systems and improve immunity. Infections and their associated symptoms are the common and frequent challenges to human health that are causing severe economic and social consequences around the world. During aging, human immune system undergoes dramatic aging-related changes/dysfunctions known as immunosenescence. Clinically, immunosenescence refers to the gradual deterioration of immune system that increases exposure to infections, and reduces vaccine efficacy. Such phenomenon is linked to impaired immune responses that lead to dysfunction of multiple organs, while lack of physical activity, progressive loss of muscle mass, and concomitant decline in muscle strength facilitate immunosenescence and inflammation. In the present review, we have discussed the role of nutrition and PA, which can boost the immune system alone and synergistically. Evidence suggests that long-term PA is beneficial in improving immune system and preventing various infections. We have further discussed several nutritional strategies for improving the immune system. Unfortunately, the available evidence shows conflicting results. In terms of interaction with food intake, PA does not tend to increase energy intake during a short time course. However, overcoming nutritional deficiencies appears to be the most practical recommendation. Through the balanced nutritious diet intake one can fulfill the bodily requirement of optimal nutrition that significantly impacts the immune system. Supplementation of a single nutrient as food is generally not advisable. Rather incorporating various fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins and probiotics may ensure adequate nutrient intake. Therefore, multi-nutrient supplements may benefit people having deficiency in spite of sufficient diet. Along with PA, supplementation of probiotics, bovine colostrum, plant-derived products and functional foods may provide additional benefits in improving the immune system.

An investigation into the anxiety-relieving and mood-enhancing effects of Echinacea angustifolia (EP107™): A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

The acute anxiolytic effects of the echinacea angustifolia extract (EP107^TM) have been demonstrated in two previous human trials. The goals of this study were to examine the anxiolytic and mood-enhancing effects of echinacea angustifolia over a longer duration with a larger sample size.

METHODS

In this 6-week, 3-arm, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, 108 adults with mild-to-moderately severe anxiety were recruited and randomised to receive either a placebo, 20 mg, or 40 mg of echinacea angustifolia, twice daily. Outcome measures included the Clinically Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale (CUXOS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS).

RESULTS

Based on data collected from 104 participants, both doses of echinacea were associated with overall reductions in anxiety, although improvements were not different from the placebo. However, both doses of echinacea were associated with greater improvements in the PANAS positive and negative affect scores, and SF-36 emotional wellbeing score compared to the placebo.

LIMITATIONS

The positive improvements associated with echinacea were only identified via the secondary outcome measures and, therefore, require validation in future trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The echinacea angustifolia extract (EP107^TM) administered for 6 weeks at a dose of 40 and 80 mg daily was not associated with greater improvements in anxiety in adults with mild-to-moderately severe anxiety compared to the placebo. However, there were greater improvements in positive and negative affect, and emotional wellbeing, suggesting antidepressant effects. Further studies using clearly-defined populations and validated outcome measures will be useful in future trials.

Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Echinacea angustifolia Extract against Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae through Niosome Encapsulation

With the increased occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, alternatives to classical antibiotics are urgently needed for treatment of various infectious diseases. Medicinal plant extracts are among the promising candidates due to their bioactive components. The aim of this study was to prepare niosome-encapsulated Echinacea angustifolia extract and study its efficacy against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. Encapsulation was first optimized by Design of Experiments, followed by the empirical study. The obtained niosomes were further characterized for the size and morphology using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Spherical niosomes had a diameter of 142.3 ± 5.1 nm, as measured by DLS. The entrapment efficiency (EE%) of E. angustifolia extract reached up to 77.1% ± 0.3%. The prepared niosomes showed a controlled drug release within the tested 72 h and a storage stability of at least 2 months at both 4 and 25 °C. The encapsulated E. angustifolia displayed up to 16-fold higher antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant K.pneumoniae strains, compared to the free extract. Additionally, the niosome exhibited negligible cytotoxicity against human foreskin fibroblasts. We anticipate that the results presented herein could contribute to the preparation of other plant extracts with improved stability and antibacterial activity, and will help reduce the overuse of antibiotics by controlled release of natural-derived drugs.

Echinacea purpurea L. (Moench) Hemagglutinin Effect on Immune Response In Vivo

Echinacea purpurea L. (Moench) is used in traditional and conventional medicine. However, there is lack of data on the biological activities of primary plant metabolite lectins. The aim of our experiment was to find out how lectin LysM (lysine motif), which was previously purified, affects the immune response in vivo. Eight-week-old BALB/c male mice (n = 15) received four weekly 250 μg/kg peritonial injections of purified Echinacea purpurea L. (Moench) roots’ LysM lectin. The control animal group (n = 15) received 50 μL peritoneal injections of fresh Echinacea purpurea L. (Moench) root tincture, and the negative control animal group (n = 15) received 50 μL peritoneal injections of physiological solution. At the fifth experimental week, the animals were sedated with carbon dioxide, and later euthanized by cervical dislocation, and then their blood and spleen samples were collected. The leukocytes’ formula and lymphocytes’ count was estimated in blood samples, the T lymphocytes’ density was evaluated in spleen zones. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference between each group was observed in the leukocytes’ formula (monocytes’ percentage, also little, medium and giant size lymphocytes). The purple coneflower fresh roots’ tincture significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the T lymphocytes’ quantity in peritoneal lymphoid sheaths (PALS) compared with the physiological solution injection’s group (p < 0.05) and the lectin injection’s group (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, lectin injections caused a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the T lymphocytes in a spleen PALS zone, compared with the physiological solution and tincture injection’s group. Our data suggests that LysM lectin acts as an immunostimulant, while fresh purple coneflower tincture causes immunosuppression.

Thymoquinone: A Promising Natural Compound with Potential Benefits for COVID-19 Prevention and Cure

COVID-19 has caused a major global health crisis, as excessive inflammation, oxidation, and exaggerated immune response in some sufferers can lead to a condition known as cytokine storm, which may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDs), which can be fatal. So far, few effective drugs have emerged to assist in the treatment of patients with COVID-19, though some herbal medicine candidates may assist in the fight against COVID-19 deaths. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main active ingredient of black seed oil, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anticoagulant activities. TQ also increases the activity and number of cytokine suppressors, lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages, and it has demonstrated antiviral potential against a number of viruses, including murine cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and other coronaviruses. Recently, TQ has demonstrated notable antiviral activity against a SARSCoV-2 strain isolated from Egyptian patients and, interestingly, molecular docking studies have also shown that TQ could potentially inhibit COVID-19 development through binding to the receptor-binding domain on the spike and envelope proteins of SARS-CoV-2, which may hinder virus entry into the host cell and inhibit its ion channel and pore forming activity. Other studies have shown that TQ may have an inhibitory effect on SARS CoV2 proteases, which could diminish viral replication, and it has also demonstrated good antagonism to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, allowing it to interfere with virus uptake into the host cell. Several studies have also noted its potential protective capability against numerous chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, renal dysfunction and malignancy. TQ has recently been tested in clinical trials for the treatment of several different diseases, and this review thus aims to highlight the potential therapeutic effects of TQ in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily intake of a homeopathic agent by dogs modulates white cell defenses and reduces bacterial counts in feces

Motivated by conventional medicines' ineffectiveness and the appearance of bacterial resistance, homeopathic medicines are being increasingly demanded by the veterinary market. Dog feces contain high bacterial and pathogenic loads, which can cause diseases in animals and facilitate zoonotic transmission. Adequate animal immunity contributes to the elimination of potential pathogens. This work's objective was to evaluate the effects of using a homeopathic medication on blood cell counts, serum protein levels, and fecal bacterial counts in dogs. Two groups were used, each including five 19-month-old Beagle dogs. The homeopathic product Orgainfecto® was sprayed on the two daily meals in the treated group (T), at 0.5 mL/animal/day for 60 days; the group that did not receive the homeopathic was considered the control (C), who were fed only the vehicle used in the production of the homeopathic as a placebo. On days 1, 30, and 60, individual stool samples were collected for bacterial counts in the stool, blood samples for blood counts, and serum for biochemical tests. Total bacterial counts in feces were lower in group T on days 30 and 60 of the experiment, while total coliforms and E coli. were lower in this group on day 60. Total leukocyte counts were lower on day 60 in group T, unlike the neutrophil count, higher in group T on day 30, and eosinophils on day 60. However, the lymphocyte count was lower in group T on days 30 and 60. There was an increase in globulin and total protein in group T on day 60. We conclude that the tested homeopathic causes neutrophils and eosinophils' stimulation and increases globulins levels even with reduced lymphocytes. The daily consumption of homeopathic by dogs decreases the intestinal bacterial load, resulting in less environmental contamination and animal and human colibacillosis risks.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Native Chilean Plants

The native flora of Chile has unique characteristics due to the geographical situation of the country, with the vast desert in the North, Patagonia in the South, the Andean Mountains on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. This exclusivity is reflected in high concentrations of phytochemicals in the fruits and leaves of its native plants. Some examples are Aristotelia chilensis (Molina), Stuntz (maqui), Berberis microphylla G. Forst. (calafate), Peumus boldus Molina (boldo), Ribes magellanicum Poir. (Magellan currant), Ugni molinae Turcz. (murtilla), Rubus geoides Sm. (miñe miñe), Drimys winteri J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (canelo), Luma apiculata (DC.) Burret (arrayán) distributed throughout the entire Chilean territory. Some of these Chilean plants have been used for centuries in the country's traditional medicine. The most recent studies of phytochemical characterization of parts of Chilean plants show a wide spectrum of antioxidant compounds, phenolic components, terpenoids and alkaloids, which have shown biological activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This manuscript covers the entire Chilean territory characterizing the phytochemical profile and reporting some of its biological properties, focusing mainly on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemopreventive and cytotoxic activity, and potential against diabetes, metabolic syndrome and gastrointestinal disorders.