Determinations in Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Echinacea-Based Preparation Fight Against the Cold

Mahbuba Valiyeva¹*, Sevil Mehraliyeva¹ and Mahira Amirova²

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Management, Azerbaijan

²Department of Biochemistry, Azerbaijan

*Corresponding author: Mahbuba Valiyeva, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Management, Azerbaijan

Submission: June 06, 2022;Published: September 26, 2022

DOI: 10.31031/DNN.2022.03.000551

ISSN: 2832-4439
Volume3 Issue1

Despite the wide range of therapeutic effects, Еchinacea does not cause side effects; those are usually minor, including upset stomach, nausea, and dizziness [1]. Echinacea plant comprises the water-soluble immunostimulatory polysaccharides, such as 4-O-methylglucuronyl arabinoxylanes, acid arabino-galactans; the essential oils including borneol, bornyl-acetate pentadeca-8-en-2-on, germacrene D, caryophyllene epoxide; flavonoids, namely ferulic acid and its derivatives, methyl ester of chicory acid, 2-O-caffeoyl- 3-O-feruloyl-tartaric acid, 2,3-O-diferuloyl tartaric acid, 2-O-caffeoyl tartaric acid); alkamides and exhibits an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the presence of a large number of due to the presence of a large number of medicinal substances contained in Еchinacea, it is used as a remedy with a wide range of effects. We represent the number of Echinacea-based drugs with their effects. Echınacea lozenges are used as immunostimulators in variety of infectious diseases. Polysaccharides in this drug regulate interleukin-1 expression and increase the phagocytic activity of neutrophils and macrophages. The complex effect of Echinacea lozenges active substances improves the transfer of B-lymphocytes to the plasma cells and improves the function of T-helpers [2]. Inulin, levulase and betaine in this drug metabolism improves the metabolism, as wellshows good impact on the liver and kidney condition. “Echinacea +” is an 80% Echinacea mixture extract of 40% Echinacea Purpurea plus 40% Pale Echinacea as well as 10% of garden thyme and 10% cinnamon. This exrract also contains alkaloids, polysaccharides, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes and some organic acids. Standardization is carried out according to caffeic acid and echinacoside glycoside content (Figure 1). The Echinacea chemical composition of is complex and multicomponent.

Figure 1:Caffeic acid and its glycoside echinacoside.

The main biologically active substances in this plant are alkaloids of various structures, polysaccharides, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes and organic acids as well. It is known that the listed components exhibit unique prophylactic properties of this plant. The mechanism of the Echinacea immunostimulatory effect is explained by the fact that its components help to regulate phagocytic activity, promote the formation of macrophages, slow down the release of inflammatory factors, as well as regulate the B-cells activity, increase the secretion of interleukins and show the antifungal effect [3]. Echinacea is used in such respiratory system infections as tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, as well as urinary tract infections along with fungal infections, and helps in prevention of postoperative infections [4]. The garden thyme Satureia Montana provides this drug with an essential oil rich in carvacrol, or cymophenol, C6H3(CH3)(OH)C3H7, a phenol derivative monoterpenoid, aromatic ring of which enriches this plant with antiseptic properties, for instance it destroys staphylococci, bacteria and some pathogenic fungi. The antiviral effect is due to the polyphenols it contains. Cinnamon (Cannelle Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) contains the essential oil eugenolum, ternen alcohols, and tannins [5]. Pharmacological effects of “Echinacea +” preparation is based on its induction of the interferon biosynthesis; enhances body antiviral, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiinflammatory capacity; it is an antiseptic with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial capacity; exhibiting an antispasmodic property it improves the respiratory function of organism. Echinacea tincture is prepared in a 1:10 ratio [6]. For this, 200g of plant freshly harvested leaves, flowers, stems or 50g of dry raw material is pured with1 liter of 40% ethyl alcohol. Used 30-40 drops 3 times a day this remedy increases the number of leukocytes (T-lymphocytes, granulocytes), activates phagocytes and increases the regenerative abilities of tissues. İmmunomodulatory properties of Echinacea tinctures are based on stimulation of the production and proliferation of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) [7].

Echinacea tincture increases the production of interferon in the body. Echinacea tincture is effective in inflammatory processes of the female genital organs, prostate adenoma, gastric ulcer, arthritis, hepatitis, nephritis, eczema and psoriasis. Echinacea root tincture also is used in pneumonia, bronchial asthma and cough. “Echinacea composition S” is a homeopathic remedy with the extract of Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaf Coneflower), in purulent infections and processes of the skin, soft tissues, mucous membranes (abscesses, boils, phlegmon, carbuncles, gingivitis, stomatitis, sinusitis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, osteomyelitis, mastitis, mastitis, collomitis), sepsis, secondary bacterial and viral infections, etc.) This herb induces immune response increasing cell populations and their biological functions, including CD49+ and CD19+ lymphocytes in spleen and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. The Echinacea treatment alters the cytokine production by mitogenstimulated splenic cells. This herb increases interferon-γ production but inhibits the release of interleukin (IL)-1β. Only E. angustifoliaand E. pallida-treated mice demonstrated significantly higher production of IL-4 and increased IL-10 production. So, the findings demonstrate that Echinacea is a wide spectrum immunomodulator that modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses [8]. “Echinacea composition S” is a homeopathic remedy that contains an extract of Narrow-leaf Coneflower used in purulent infectious and inflammatory processes of the skin, soft tissues, mucous membranes (abscesses, boils, phlegmon, carbuncles, gingivitis, stomatitis, sinusitis, gastritis, cystitis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis s.), as well as toxic syndromes (osteomyelitis, sepsis, secondary bacterial and viral infections, etc.) [9]. Echinacea extract is the drug used in influenza, fatigue, anemia, avitaminosis, headaches, infectious diseases, respiratory and urinary tract diseases [10]. The preparation of exinacea extract is as follows: crushed & mashed fresh roots of Echinacea are infused with 95% alcohol for 2 weeks. The resulting mixture is filtered. 25-30 drops 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals are effective in gastric ulcer, arthritis, hepatitis, nephritis, eczema, psoriasis; Echinacea extract also exhibits effect in pneumonia, bronchial asthma, cough. İt may be used externally in inflammatory processes of the female genital organs, prostate adenoma.

In view of the practical absence of side effects (100% natural product) and high immunostimulating ability, Есhinacea preparations should be included in the list of preferred drugs in the fight against catarrhal diseases.

1. Kligler B (2003) Echinacea. Am Fam Physician 67(1): 77-80.
2. Park S, Lee M, Jung S, Lee S, Kwon O, et al. (2017) Echinacea purpurea protects against restraint stress-induced immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice. Journal of Medicinal Food 21(3): 261-268.
3. Mir-Rashed N, Cruz I, Jessulat M, Dumontier M, Chesnais C, et al. (2010) Disruption of fungal cell wall by antifungal Echinacea Med Mycol 48(7): 949-958.
4. Islam J, Carter R (2005) Use of Echinacea in upper respiratory tract infection. South Med J 98(3): 311-318.
5. Veliyeva MN, Mehraliyeva SC (2012) Pharmaceutical technology: Industrial technology of medicines, pp.110-137.
6. Temporary pharmacopoeial article (1994) "Herbal Echinacea "
7. McCann DA, Solco A, Liu Y, Macaluso F, Murphy PA, et al. (2007) Cytokine-and interferon-modulating properties of Echinacea spp. Root tinctures stored at -20 degrees C for 2 years. Journal of interferon & cytokine research 27(5): 425-436.
8. Zhai Z, Liu Y, Wu L, Senchina DS, Wurtele ES, et al. (2007) Enhancement of innate and adaptive immune functions by multiple Echinacea species. Journal of medicinal food 10(3): 423–434.
9. Natural Remedies for Flu Symptoms.
10. Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Odessa Astro Print, USA, p. 603.