study about Echinacea

Echinacea

·   Found in eastern and central North America.
·   They grow in moist and open wooded areas.
·   It has ten species which are commonly called coneflowers.
·   Fluid extracts of Echinacea were used by Native Americans for:
a) Cold
b) Rabies
   c) Cancer
d) Seizures
e) Snake Bites
f) Arthritis
·   There are three common medicinal types of Echinacea;
a) Echinacea angustifolia
b) Echinacea purpurea
c) Echinacea pallida

Pharmacogenetic Feature

·   English Name: purple cone flower
·   Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea
·   Family: Asteraceae (composite)
·   Genus: Echinacea
·   Part used: Roots and Flower Heads 

DESCRIPTION:

·   2-4ft stems and long-lasting lavender flowers.
·   Has tall stems bears single pink or purple flowers.
·   Rough scattered leaves which become small towards the top of the stem.
·   Flowers occur singly atop the stems and have domed, purplish brown, spiny centres.
·   Has a central cone that is usually purple or brown in colour.
·   It blooms through out the summer.
·   Have a light sweet, honey like fragrance.

What to expect?

·   Chemical constituent
·   Uses
·   Mechanism of action
·   Dosage
·   toxicity
·   Side effects
·   Contraindications
·   precautions
·   Drug interactions
·   Reference

Chemical constituent

·   Glycosides
·   Achinacosides
·   Echinacin
·   Polysaccharides
·   Caffeic acid
·   Essential oils
·   Flavonoids
·   Volatile oils
·   Vitamins and minerals

Uses

·   Fever & Flu
·   Viral Infections
·   Upper Respiratory system diseases
·   Urinary Tract infection (UTI)
·   Gallstones and Kidney stones
·   Pain in Arthritis & Rheumatism
·   Certain Type of cancers
·   Snake Bites
·   Antiseptic
·   Stimulate immune system
·   Antibiotic activity
·   Anti-viral and anti-fungal
·   Anti-inflammatory
·   Improve white blood count

Mechanism of action

· Antibiotic activity
    It has a mild antibiotic effect, helping to protect cells from invading pathogens as bacteria, viruses, fungi. The plant both stimulates the properdin/complement system, which helps the body control and prevent infections, and increases production of alpha- and alpha-2 gamma globulins, which prevents viral and other infections.
· Immune modulatory action
Make immune cell efficient, increase activity of anti tumor cell and promote the T Cell activation and stimulates the new tissue growth.

· Phagocytosis function

Stimulates the production of interferon as well as other important product of immune system including tumour necrosis factor which is important in body against cancer.

· Against infection

It inhibits an enzyme hyaluronidase secreted by bacteria to help them gain access to healthy cells.

Dosage

·   Film coated tablet contain 200 mg of extract from Echinacea purpurea root.
·   In adults and elderly and children and over 12 years take 1-2 tablet with water.
·   Tablet contain 6.78 mg of E. purpurea.
·   Capsules contain 100 mg of three times daily.
·   E. purpurea herb juice; daily dose of 6-9 ml for up to maximum of 8 weeks.

Toxicity

In several clinical studies, the frequency of adverse effects in the Echinacea group and control group were similar and not statistically significant, while in some studies, rash and gastrointestinal symptoms were reported from the Echinacea group. Some adverse effects were also reported by the UK Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's spontaneous reporting scheme (the "yellow card" scheme), commonly including abdominal pain, angioedema, dyspnoea, nausea, pruritus, rash, erythema, and urticaria. 

Side effects

·   Fever
·   Nausea
·   Vomiting
·   Unpleasant taste
·   Stomach pain
·   Diarrhea
·   Headache
·   Numbness of tongue.
·   Dizziness
·   Insomnia

Contra-indications

·   Do not use if:
·   you are allergic to any of the ingredients or to Echinacea
·   You are pregnant or breast-feeding.
·   You have a skin condition called pemphigus vulgaris.
·   You have an immune system disorder such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other immune system conditions called "autoimmune disease."
·   Product may increase the effect of caffeine. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, certain sodas) or eating large amounts of chocolate.
·   If your product contains alcohol, do not use it in combination with metronidazole or disulfiram.

Precautions

·   Do not chew.
·   Do not exceed the stated dose.
·   For oral administration only.
·   Not for use in those under 18.
·   Always read the label.
·   Use of Echinacea is restricted to no longer than eight weeks at a time. This is because after eight consecutive weeks, Echinacea losses its effectiveness and may even diminish immune function.
·   Regular users of this herb, need "break" periods: namely, periods of time that they are not taking echinacea in order for it to maintain its ability to enhance immune function and fight infection.

Drug interactions

Drug Interaction Classification:
a)  Major
Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
b) Moderate
Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
c) minor
Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.

Reference

  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

·   https://www.wildflower.org

·   Echinacea angustifoliae radix (Narrow-leaved coneflower root)

·   https://escop.com-echinaceae-angustifoliae-radix-narrow-leaved- coneflower-root/