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

Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activity of the Essential Oil from Ericameria nauseosa Collected in Southwestern Montana, United States

Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & G.I. Baird) is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases; however, little is known about the immunomodulatory activity of essential oil from this plant. Thus, we isolated essential oil from the aerial parts of E. nauseosa and evaluated their chemical composition and biological activity. Compositional analysis of E. nauseosa essential oil revealed that the main (>2%) components were γ-decalactone (13.3%), cryptone (9.4%), terpinen-4-ol (9.3%), (E)-methyl cinnamate (6.0%), T-cadinol (4.7%), spathulenol (3.6%), 8Z-2,3-dihydromatricaria ester (3.1%), β-phellandrene (3.0%), p-cymen-8-ol (2.2%), 3-ethoxy-2-cycloocten-1-one (2.2%), and trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol (2.1%). Distinctive features were the lactones (up to 15%) and polyacetylenes (up to 3.1%), including (2Z,8Z)-matricaria ester and 8Z-2,3-dihydromatricaria ester. A comparison with other reported E. nauseosa essential oil samples showed that our samples were distinct from those collected in other areas of the country; however, they did have the most similarity to one sample collected in North Central Utah. Pharmacological studies showed that E. nauseosa essential oil activated human neutrophil Ca2+ influx, which desensitized these cells to subsequent agonist-induced functional responses. Based on our previously reported data that nerolidol, β-pinene, spathulenol, sabinene, and γ-terpinene were active in human neutrophils, these compounds are the most likely constituents contributing to this immunomodulatory activity. However, the relatively high amount of polyacetylenes may also contribute, as these compounds have been characterized as potent immunomodulators.

Formulation of Neem and Echinacea Gel for Oral Health Along With the Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Anti-inflammatory, and Free Radical Scavenging Activity: An In Vitro Study

Background Herbs have been used in medical practice for centuries and continue to play a significant role in modern complementary and alternative medicine. Phytochemicals in these herbs possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial in targeting oral health issues, such as dental plaque, gingivitis, and oral microbial infections. As research progresses, the challenge remains to translate these natural compounds into safe, effective, and accessible treatments for a wide range of diseases. Aim The aim of this research was to formulate the neem and echinacea gel along with the evaluation of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, free-radical scavenging activity, and cytotoxic potential. Materials and methods The neem and echinacea gel was prepared using a concentrated powdered mixture of neem and echinacea (5 grams each) to which 100 ml of distilled water was added, and the mixture was boiled for 30 minutes at 60°C. The 10 ml concentrate was mixed with 20 ml of a carbopol and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) mixture and mixed thoroughly, which resulted in neem and echinacea gel. Then, the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic potential, and free-radical scavenging activity of the gel were evaluated. The data obtained were statistically analyzed with the help of a paired t-test, where a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The antimicrobial assay showed that neem and echinacea gel at the concentration of 100 micrograms showed a greater zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (3.15 ± 0.26), Streptococcus mutans (2.48 ± 0.45), Enterococcus faecalis (2.89 ± 0.15), and Candida albicans (4.28 ± 0.87). The cytotoxic test revealed that even at an 80 µg concentration of the extract, more than 70% of the nauplii were vital, which indicated that the gel was not cytotoxic. The highest anti-inflammatory activity (78.39 ± 1.82) of the gel was seen at 50 micrograms when compared with diclofenac sodium (73.16 ± 1.80). The free radical scavenging activity showed that the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) absorbance of the neem and echinacea extract was highest at 50 micrograms.  Conclusion The combination of neem and echinacea extract-based gel possessed high antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity when compared with standard drugs, such as amoxicillin and diclofenac sodium. The antioxidant activity of the gel was equal to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and also the gel has a low cytotoxic potential even at its higher concentrations. Hence, the gel can be used as a natural remedy with minimal side effects, making it a valuable alternative to chemical agents.

Effects of Ban Lian Zi Jin San on intestinal inflammation and barrier function of heat-stressed broilers

Heat stress (HS) in broilers can be an environmental stressor that leads to intestinal inflammation and intestinal barrier damage. In order to examine the effect of Ban Lian Zi Jin San (BLZJS) on intestinal inflammation and barrier function in heat-stressed broilers, a model of chronic cyclic HS in broilers was established. A total of 300 twenty-one-day-old broilers were divided into 5 treatments at random. Broilers in 3 BLZJS dosage groups were kept in an ecologically controlled room at 37℃ ± 2℃ for 6 wk, and fed basal diets supplemented with 0.5, 1, and 2% BLZJS. Broilers in HS group were housed in the same room, but fed the basal diets. The findings indicated that supplementation of BLZJS significantly declined serum HS indexes levels (HSP70, HSP90), and increased serum antioxidant capacity (SOD and T-AOC) in broilers (P < 0.05). Besides, supplementation of BLZJS significantly inhibited the expression of HS indexes (HSP70 and HSP90), genes related to TLR4 inflammatory signal pathway (TLR4, MyD88, TRIF, IRAK-4, and NF-κB), inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) and intestinal tight junction-related genes (Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1) in broiler jejunum (P < 0.05). On the other hand, supplementation of BLZJS could significantly reduce the protein expression of NF-κB and HSP70 in chick jejunum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BLZJS inhibited the activation of TLR4 signal pathway and reduced the production of inflammatory factors, restoring the level of intestinal tight junction protein and protecting jejunal intestinal barrier function in heat-stressed broilers.

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.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of the Iberian Peninsula Endemic Species Eryngium dilatatum Lam

Eryngium dilatatum Lam. is a thorny Iberian Peninsula endemic species belonging to the Apiaceae family that has not been previously analysed from a chemical point of view. Following our studies on this genus, we characterized the chemical composition of the essential oils from the different parts (inflorescences, stems + leaves, and roots) of this species; these parts were gathered in Cádiz (Spain). The specimens were collected in July during the flowering period and air-dried before the oil extraction by hydro-distillation. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The different parts of the plant yielded low amounts of pale yellow oil, with the roots being the fraction that provided the lowest amount of oil. The chemical characterization of the essential oils showed qualitative and quantitative differences between the fractions examined, but all of them showed the same principal compound, germacrene D (9.1-46.5%). Similarly, all the fractions shared most of their representative constituents, with their percentage compositions being different from one sample to the other: α-cadinol (3.8%), bicyclogermacrene (3.5%), octanal (3.1%), and spathulenol (2.5%) were found in the inflorescences; octanal (8.1%), α-cadinol (3.7%), δ-cadinene (3.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (2.6%), bicyclogermacrene (2.5%), and spathulenol (2.4%) were found in the stems and leaves; and spathulenol (4.6%), α-cadinol (4.4%), khusinol (3.2%), α-muurolol (3.1%), and δ-cadinene (2.6%) were found in the roots. As far as we know, this is the first report about the chemical composition of this endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula. It contributes to the knowledge of this species and to the genus to which it belongs. This species could be considered as a natural source of germacrene D, which is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon with active properties.