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Research seeds: Echinacea

In this article, we discuss the ā€œEchinacea-induced cytokine production by human macrophagesā€

Research seeds Echinacea

Plant name and species

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Aim of study

The aim of this study was to highlight the cellular mechanisms which cause echinaceaā€™s immuno-stimulant activities.

Study method

Preparations of fresh pressed echinacea juice and dried juice were tested at concentrations from 10 Ī¼g/ml to 0.012 Ī¼g/ml. They were then mixed with macrophages and added to plates, and a control plate was made with no echinacea to compare results. After some incubation time, supernatants were collected and tested for various immune signals in the form of cytokines.

Results of study

Macrophages cultured with echinacea even in small doses produced much higher levels of immune markers interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor-Ī±, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10. The increase in immune cells and immune mediators partially explains echinaceaā€™s traditional immuno-stimulant and antiviral effects.

Discussion

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that removes dead cells and stimulates the action of other immune cells, as well as surrounding and killing microorganisms and pathogens. The immune system communicates via cytokines, which are chemical messengers that signal various parts of the immune system into action. There are various types of cytokines, in the form of interferons, interleukins and growth factors, and these are specifically what were tested for. 

Echinacea stimulated various subtypes of cytokines, and this is to the authorsā€™ knowledge the first study to stimulate interleukin-10 by macrophages. This cytokine plays a major regulatory role for T and B lymphocytes which are other types of immune cells.

Conclusion

Echinacea stimulates the immune system via various cellular pathways, and further studies are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action. The dried juice and fresh juice had similar levels of action.

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