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Romero-García PA, Ramirez-Perez S, Miguel-González JJ, Guzmán-Silahua S, Castañeda-Moreno JA, Komninou S, Rodríguez-Lara SQ. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practices: A Narrative Review Elucidating the Impact on Healthcare Systems, Mechanisms and Paediatric Applications. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1547. [PMID: 39120250 PMCID: PMC11311728 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12151547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
While research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the general population is expanding, there remains a scarcity of studies investigating the efficacy and utilisation of CAM practices, specifically in the paediatric population. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of the parental utilisation of CAM in their dependents is estimated to reach up to 80%. This literature review identified broad, heterogeneous, and inconclusive evidence regarding CAM's applications and effectiveness, primarily attributed to variance in sociodemographic factors and differences in national healthcare systems. Additionally, the review identified a lack of consensus and polarised positions among mainstream professionals regarding the mechanisms of action, applications, and effectiveness of CAM. This narrative review presents varied results concerning the efficacy of most CAM therapies and their applications; however, some evidence suggests potential benefits for acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, and massage in improving physical and mental health. Moreover, the available evidence indicates that meditation may enhance mental health, while reiki may only influence patients' perceptions of comfort. In light of the intricate and multifaceted nature of herbal medicine, it is imperative to assess its efficacy on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific compounds and procedures involved. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for health professionals, offering guidance for personalised healthcare approaches that consider the values and beliefs of patients, thereby facilitating integrated, evidence-based practices aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare services and patient satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Anaid Romero-García
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.R.-P.); (J.J.M.-G.); (S.G.-S.); (J.A.C.-M.)
| | - Sergio Ramirez-Perez
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.R.-P.); (J.J.M.-G.); (S.G.-S.); (J.A.C.-M.)
- Instituto de Investigación en Reumatología y del Sistema Músculo-Esquelético (IIRSME), CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Jorge Javier Miguel-González
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.R.-P.); (J.J.M.-G.); (S.G.-S.); (J.A.C.-M.)
- Departamento de Investigación, Instituto Cardiovascular de Mínima Invasión (ICMI), Zapopan 45116, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Sandra Guzmán-Silahua
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.R.-P.); (J.J.M.-G.); (S.G.-S.); (J.A.C.-M.)
- Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, CMNO OOAD Jalisco Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara 44160, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Javier Adan Castañeda-Moreno
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.R.-P.); (J.J.M.-G.); (S.G.-S.); (J.A.C.-M.)
| | - Sophia Komninou
- Faculty of Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK;
| | - Simón Quetzalcoatl Rodríguez-Lara
- School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan 45129, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.R.-P.); (J.J.M.-G.); (S.G.-S.); (J.A.C.-M.)
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Lee SK, Lee DR, Kim HL, Choi BK, Kwon KB. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on immune improvement effects of ethanolic extract of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench in Korean adults. Phytother Res 2024; 38:3645-3659. [PMID: 38743584 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP), a medicinal plant native to North America, is now cultivated in various regions including Europe. With increasing popularity of Echinacea in Korea recently, a human clinical trial was conducted to evaluate immune-enhancing efficacy and safety of EP 60% ethanolic extract (EPE) in Koreans. Eighty volunteers were recruited for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. They were randomly divided into two groups and given either a daily dose of 200 mg of EPE or a placebo. All participants underwent testing for Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity, serum cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α), Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 (WURSS-21), and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS) during this study to assess changes in outcomes. After 8 weeks of EPE consumption, a significant increase in NK cell cytotoxic activity compared to the placebo was observed. Additionally, serum cytokine levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α also significantly increased following EPE consumption. However, no significant changes were observed in WURSS-21 and MFS before and after EPE consumption. Throughout the 8-week study period, no adverse reactions were reported in relation to EPE consumption, and there were no clinically significant changes in diagnostic laboratory tests or vital signs in the EPE group. These results indicate that consumption of EPE could lead to immune improvement without any adverse effects. This clinical trial was the first to demonstrate beneficial effects of EPE consumption on immunity in Korean adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Kwon Lee
- Research Institute, NUON Co., Ltd., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Ryung Lee
- Research Institute, NUON Co., Ltd., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Lim Kim
- Research Institute, NUON Co., Ltd., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Keun Choi
- Research Institute, NUON Co., Ltd., Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang-Beom Kwon
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea & Ilwonbio Co., Ltd, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
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Ahmadi F, Kariman K, Mousavi M, Rengel Z. Echinacea: Bioactive Compounds and Agronomy. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1235. [PMID: 38732450 PMCID: PMC11085449 DOI: 10.3390/plants13091235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
For centuries, medicinal plants have been used as sources of remedies and treatments for various disorders and diseases. Recently, there has been renewed interest in these plants due to their potential pharmaceutical properties, offering natural alternatives to synthetic drugs. Echinacea, among the world's most important medicinal plants, possesses immunological, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Nevertheless, there is a notable lack of thorough information regarding the echinacea species, underscoring the vital need for a comprehensive review paper to consolidate existing knowledge. The current review provides a thorough analysis of the existing knowledge on recent advances in understanding the physiology, secondary metabolites, agronomy, and ecology of echinacea plants, focusing on E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida. Pharmacologically advantageous effects of echinacea species on human health, particularly distinguished for its ability to safeguard the nervous system and combat cancer, are discussed. We also highlight challenges in echinacea research and provide insights into diverse approaches to boost the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of interest in echinacea plants and optimize their large-scale farming. Various academic databases were employed to carry out an extensive literature review of publications from 2001 to 2024. The medicinal properties of echinacea plants are attributed to diverse classes of compounds, including caffeic acid derivatives (CADs), chicoric acid, echinacoside, chlorogenic acid, cynarine, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, polysaccharides, and alkylamides. Numerous critical issues have emerged, including the identification of active metabolites with limited bioavailability, the elucidation of specific molecular signaling pathways or targets linked to echinacoside effects, and the scarcity of robust clinical trials. This raises the overarching question of whether scientific inquiry can effectively contribute to harnessing the potential of natural compounds. A systematic review and analysis are essential to furnish insights and lay the groundwork for future research endeavors focused on the echinacea natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ahmadi
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (K.K.); (M.M.); (Z.R.)
| | - Khalil Kariman
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (K.K.); (M.M.); (Z.R.)
| | - Milad Mousavi
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (K.K.); (M.M.); (Z.R.)
| | - Zed Rengel
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (K.K.); (M.M.); (Z.R.)
- Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, 21000 Split, Croatia
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Percaccio E, De Angelis M, Acquaviva A, Nicotra G, Ferrante C, Mazzanti G, Di Giacomo S, Nencioni L, Di Sotto A. ECHOPvir: A Mixture of Echinacea and Hop Extracts Endowed with Cytoprotective, Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Properties. Nutrients 2023; 15:4380. [PMID: 37892456 PMCID: PMC10609862 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Percaccio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.D.A.); (L.N.)
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Acquaviva
- Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.A.); (C.F.)
| | | | - Claudio Ferrante
- Department of Pharmacy, Botanic Garden “Giardino dei Semplici”, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.A.); (C.F.)
| | - Gabriela Mazzanti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
- Unit of Human Nutrition and Health, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.D.A.); (L.N.)
| | - Antonella Di Sotto
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.P.); (G.M.)
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Low Z, Lani R, Tiong V, Poh C, AbuBakar S, Hassandarvish P. COVID-19 Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119589. [PMID: 37298539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment and management are now considerably regulated, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still one of the leading causes of death in 2022. The availability of COVID-19 vaccines, FDA-approved antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies in low-income countries still poses an issue to be addressed. Natural products, particularly traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and medicinal plant extracts (or their active component), have challenged the dominance of drug repurposing and synthetic compound libraries in COVID-19 therapeutics. Their abundant resources and excellent antiviral performance make natural products a relatively cheap and readily available alternative for COVID-19 therapeutics. Here, we deliberately review the anti-SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of the natural products, their potency (pharmacological profiles), and application strategies for COVID-19 intervention. In light of their advantages, this review is intended to acknowledge the potential of natural products as COVID-19 therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxuan Low
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Rafidah Lani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Vunjia Tiong
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Chitlaa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Pouya Hassandarvish
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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Mammari N, Albert Q, Devocelle M, Kenda M, Kočevar Glavač N, Sollner Dolenc M, Mercolini L, Tóth J, Milan N, Czigle S, Varbanov M. Natural Products for the Prevention and Treatment of Common Cold and Viral Respiratory Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050662. [PMID: 37242445 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The common cold is generally considered a usually harmless infectious disease of the upper respiratory pathway, with mostly mild symptoms. However, it should not be overlooked, as a severe cold can lead to serious complications, resulting in hospitalization or death in vulnerable patients. The treatment of the common cold remains purely symptomatic. Analgesics as well as oral antihistamines or decongestants may be advised to relieve fever, and local treatments can clear the airways and relieve nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, or sneezing. Certain medicinal plant specialties can be used as therapy or as complementary self-treatment. Recent scientific advances discussed in more detail in this review have demonstrated the plant's efficiency in the treatment of the common cold. This review presents an overview of plants used worldwide in the treatment of cold diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Mammari
- CNRS, L2CM, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Quentin Albert
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, UMR1163 Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Fongiques, 13288 Marseille, France
- INRAE, Aix Marseille Université, CIRM-CF, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Marc Devocelle
- SSPC (Synthesis & Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre), V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
- Department of Chemistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St. Stephen's Green, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maša Kenda
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Kočevar Glavač
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marija Sollner Dolenc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Laura Mercolini
- Research Group of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis (PTA Lab), Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jaroslav Tóth
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Nagy Milan
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Szilvia Czigle
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mihayl Varbanov
- CNRS, L2CM, Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, CHRU de Nancy Brabois, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Sumer J, Keckeis K, Scanferla G, Frischknecht M, Notter J, Steffen A, Kohler P, Schmid P, Roth B, Wissel K, Vernazza P, Klein P, Schoop R, Albrich WC. Novel Echinacea formulations for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in adults-A randomized blinded controlled trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:948787. [PMID: 37138742 PMCID: PMC10150997 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.948787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
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).
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sumer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Johannes Sumer
| | - Karin Keckeis
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Scanferla
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Frischknecht
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Julia Notter
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Ana Steffen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Kohler
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Schmid
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Bianca Roth
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne, Luzern, Switzerland
| | | | - Pietro Vernazza
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Peter Klein
- d.s.h. Statistical Services GmbH, Rohrbach, Germany
| | | | - Werner C. Albrich
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Vimalanathan S, Shehata M, Sadasivam K, Delbue S, Dolci M, Pariani E, D’Alessandro S, Pleschka S. Broad Antiviral Effects of Echinacea purpurea against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern and Potential Mechanism of Action. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2145. [PMID: 36363737 PMCID: PMC9694187 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) represent an alarming threat as they show altered biological behavior and may escape vaccination effectiveness. Broad-spectrum antivirals could play an important role to control infections. The activity of Echinacea purpurea (Echinaforce® extract, EF) against (i) VOCs B1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351.1 (beta), P.1 (gamma), B1.617.2 (delta), AV.1 (Scottish), B1.525 (eta), and B.1.1.529.BA1 (omicron); (ii) SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-pseudotyped viral particles and reference strain OC43 as well as (iii) wild type SARS-CoV-2 (Hu-1) was analyzed. Molecular dynamics (MD) were applied to study the interaction of Echinacea's phytochemical markers with known pharmacological viral and host cell targets. EF extract broadly inhibited the propagation of all investigated SARS-CoV-2 VOCs as well as the entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoparticles at EC50's ranging from 3.62 to 12.03 µg/mL. The preventive addition of 25 µg/mL EF to epithelial cells significantly reduced sequential infection with SARS-CoV-2 (Hu-1) and OC43. MD analyses showed constant binding affinities to VOC-typical S protein variants for alkylamides, caftaric acid, and feruloyl-tartaric acid in EF extract and interactions with serine protease TMPRSS-2. EF extract demonstrated stable virucidal activity across seven tested VOCs, likely due to the constant affinity of the contained phytochemical substances to all spike variants. A possible interaction of EF with TMPRSS-2 partially would explain the cell protective benefits of the extract by the inhibition of membrane fusion and cell entry. EF may therefore offer a supportive addition to vaccination endeavors in the control of existing and future SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvarani Vimalanathan
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Mahmoud Shehata
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Kannan Sadasivam
- Centre for High Computing, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai 600020, India
| | - Serena Delbue
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Dolci
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Pariani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sarah D’Alessandro
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Stephan Pleschka
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Deruelle F. The pharmaceutical industry is dangerous to health. Further proof with COVID-19. Surg Neurol Int 2022; 13:475. [PMID: 36324959 PMCID: PMC9610448 DOI: 10.25259/sni_377_2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 period highlights a huge problem that has been developing for decades, the control of science by industry. In the 1950s, the tobacco industry set the example, which the pharmaceutical industry followed. Since then, the latter has been regularly condemned for illegal marketing, misrepresentation of experimental results, dissimulation of information about the dangers of drugs, and considered as criminal. Therefore, this study was conducted to show that knowledge is powerfully manipulated by harmful corporations, whose goals are: 1/financial; 2/to suppress our ability to make choices to acquire global control of public health. Methods: Pharmaceutical industry techniques for manipulating science and COVID-19 reporting were reviewed. Several sources of official documents were used: PubMed; National Institutes of Health resources; pharmaceutical companies; policy documents; national newspapers and news agencies; and books by prominent professionals (scientific and legal). A few studies have not been published in peer-reviewed journals; however, they have been conducted by reputable scientists in their respective fields. Results: Since the beginning of COVID-19, we can list the following methods of information manipulation which have been used: falsified clinical trials and inaccessible data; fake or conflict-of-interest studies; concealment of vaccines’ short-term side effects and total lack of knowledge of the long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccination; doubtful composition of vaccines; inadequate testing methods; governments and international organizations under conflicts of interest; bribed physicians; the denigration of renowned scientists; the banning of all alternative effective treatments; unscientific and liberticidal social methods; government use of behavior modification and social engineering techniques to impose confinements, masks, and vaccine acceptance; scientific censorship by the media. Conclusion: By supporting and selecting only the one side of science information while suppressing alternative viewpoints, and with obvious conflicts of interest revealed by this study, governments and the media constantly disinform the public. Consequently, the unscientifically validated vaccination laws, originating from industry-controlled medical science, led to the adoption of social measures for the supposed protection of the public but which became serious threats to the health and freedoms of the population.
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Burlou-Nagy C, Bănică F, Jurca T, Vicaș LG, Marian E, Muresan ME, Bácskay I, Kiss R, Fehér P, Pallag A. Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench: Biological and Pharmacological Properties. A Review. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11091244. [PMID: 35567246 PMCID: PMC9102300 DOI: 10.3390/plants11091244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Burlou-Nagy
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania;
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (F.B.); (T.J.); (L.G.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Florin Bănică
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (F.B.); (T.J.); (L.G.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Tünde Jurca
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (F.B.); (T.J.); (L.G.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Laura Grațiela Vicaș
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (F.B.); (T.J.); (L.G.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Eleonora Marian
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (F.B.); (T.J.); (L.G.V.); (E.M.)
| | - Mariana Eugenia Muresan
- Department of Preclinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410068 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Ildikó Bácskay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (I.B.); (P.F.)
| | - Rita Kiss
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Pálma Fehér
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (I.B.); (P.F.)
| | - Annamaria Pallag
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (F.B.); (T.J.); (L.G.V.); (E.M.)
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Kolev E, Mircheva L, Edwards MR, Johnston SL, Kalinov K, Stange R, Gancitano G, Berghe WV, Kreft S. Echinacea Purpurea For the Long-Term Prevention of Viral Respiratory Tract Infections During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Randomized, Open, Controlled, Exploratory Clinical Study. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:856410. [PMID: 35559249 PMCID: PMC9087554 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.856410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is effective in preventing severe Covid-19, but efficacy in reducing viral load and transmission wanes over time. In addition, the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants increases the threat of uncontrolled dissemination and additional antiviral therapies are urgently needed for effective containment. In previous in vitro studies Echinacea purpurea demonstrated strong antiviral activity against enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we examined the potential of Echinacea purpurea in preventing and treating respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and in particular, SARS-CoV-2 infections. 120 healthy volunteers (m,f, 18-75 years) were randomly assigned to Echinacea prevention or control group without any intervention. After a run-in week, participants went through 3 prevention cycles of 2, 2 and 1 month with daily 2,400 mg Echinacea purpurea extract (Echinaforce®, EF). The prevention cycles were interrupted by breaks of 1 week. Acute respiratory symptoms were treated with 4,000 mg EF for up to 10 days, and their severity assessed via a diary. Naso/oropharyngeal swabs and venous blood samples were routinely collected every month and during acute illnesses for detection and identification of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 via RT-qPCR and serology. Summarized over all phases of prevention, 21 and 29 samples tested positive for any virus in the EF and control group, of which 5 and 14 samples tested SARS-CoV-2 positive (RR = 0.37, Chi-square test, p = 0.03). Overall, 10 and 14 symptomatic episodes occurred, of which 5 and 8 were Covid-19 (RR = 0.70, Chi-square test, p > 0.05). EF treatment when applied during acute episodes significantly reduced the overall virus load by at least 2.12 log10 or approx. 99% (t-test, p < 0.05), the time to virus clearance by 8.0 days for all viruses (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.02) and by 4.8 days for SARS-CoV-2 (p > 0.05) in comparison to control. Finally, EF treatment significantly reduced fever days (1 day vs 11 days, Chi-square test, p = 0.003) but not the overall symptom severity. There were fewer Covid-19 related hospitalizations in the EF treatment group (N = 0 vs N = 2). EF exhibited antiviral effects and reduced the risk of viral RTIs, including SARS-CoV-2. By substantially reducing virus loads in infected subjects, EF offers a supportive addition to existing mandated treatments like vaccinations. Future confirmatory studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Kolev
- Clinical Research Center DCC Convex Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Michael R. Edwards
- Virtus Respiratory Research Limited, London Bioscience Innovation Centre, London, United Kingdom
- National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London St Marys Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian L. Johnston
- Virtus Respiratory Research Limited, London Bioscience Innovation Centre, London, United Kingdom
- National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London St Marys Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rainer Stange
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Gancitano
- 1st “Tuscania” Paratrooper Regiment Carabinieri, Italian Ministry of Defence, Livorno, Italy
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES) and Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Samo Kreft
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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