High Juvenile Mortality Overwhelms Benefits of Mating Potential for Reproductive Fitness.

AbstractAn individual's access to mates (i.e., its "mating potential") can constrain its reproduction but may also influence its fitness through effects on offspring survival. For instance, mate proximity may correspond with relatedness and lead to inbreeding depression in offspring. While offspring production and survival might respond differently to mating potential, previous studies have not considered the simultaneous effects of mating potential on these fitness components. We investigated the relationship of mating potential with both production and survival of offspring in populations of a long-lived herbaceous perennial, Echinacea angustifolia. Across 7 years and 14 sites, we quantified the mating potential of maternal plants in 1,278 mating bouts and followed the offspring from these bouts over 8 years. We used aster models to evaluate the relationship of mating potential with the number of offspring that emerged and that were alive after 8 years. Seedling emergence increased with mating potential. Despite this, the number of offspring surviving after 8 years showed no relationship to mating potential. Our results support the broader conclusion that the effect of mating potential on fitness erodes over time because of demographic stochasticity at the maternal level.

Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Restoring the Intestinal Microbiota and Inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB Axis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal ailment which cannot be completely cured. The occurrence of UC has been on the rise in recent years, which is highly detrimental to patients. The effectiveness of conventional drug treatment is limited. The long-term usage of these agents can lead to substantial adverse effects. Therefore, the development of a safe and efficient dietary supplement is important for the prevention of UC. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPP) is one of the main bioactive substances in Echinacea purpurea. EPP has many favorable effects, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. However, whether EPP can prevent or alleviate UC is still unclear. This study aims to analyze the effect and mechanism of EPP on UC in mice using a 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC model. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg EPP significantly alleviated the shortening of colon length, weight loss, and histopathological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice. Mechanistically, EPP significantly inhibits the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and preserves the intestinal mechanical barrier integrity by enhancing the expression of claudin-1, ZO-1, and occludin and reducing the loss of goblet cells. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that EPP intervention reduced the abundance of Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Klebsiella; the abundance of Lactobacillus increased. The results of nontargeted metabonomics showed that EPP reshaped metabolism. In this study, we clarified the effect of EPP on UC, revealed the potential function of EPP, and supported the use of polysaccharide dietary supplements for UC prevention.

SCPL acyltransferases catalyze the metabolism of chlorogenic acid during purple coneflower seed germination.

The metabolism of massively accumulated chlorogenic acid is crucial for the successful germination of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Menoch). A serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) acyltransferase (chicoric acid synthase, CAS) utilizes chlorogenic acid to produce chicoric acid during germination. However, it seems that the generation of chicoric acid lags behind the decrease in chlorogenic acid, suggesting an earlier route of chlorogenic acid metabolism. We discovered another chlorogenic acid metabolic product, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, which is produced before chicoric acid, filling the lag phase. Then, we identified two additional typical clade IA SCPL acyltransferases, named chlorogenic acid condensing enzymes (CCEs), that catalyze the biosynthesis of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid from chlorogenic acid with different kinetic characteristics. Chlorogenic acid inhibits radicle elongation in a dose-dependent manner, explaining the potential biological role of SCPL acyltransferases-mediated continuous chlorogenic acid metabolism during germination. Both CCE1 and CCE2 are highly conserved among Echinacea species, supporting the observed metabolism of chlorogenic acid to 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in two Echinacea species without chicoric acid accumulation. The discovery of SCPL acyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid suggests convergent evolution. Our research clarifies the metabolism strategy of chlorogenic acid in Echinacea species and provides more insight into plant metabolism.

EpMYB2 positively regulates chicoric acid biosynthesis by activating both primary and specialized metabolic genes in purple coneflower.

Chicoric acid is the major active ingredient of the world-popular medicinal plant purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Menoch). It is recognized as the quality index of commercial hot-selling Echinacea products. While the biosynthetic pathway of chicoric acid in purple coneflower has been elucidated recently, its regulatory network remains elusive. Through co-expression and phylogenetic analysis, we found EpMYB2, a typical R2R3-type MYB transcription factor (TF) responsive to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) simulation, is a positive regulator of chicoric acid biosynthesis. In addition to directly regulating chicoric acid biosynthetic genes, EpMYB2 positively regulates genes of the upstream shikimate pathway. We also found that EpMYC2 could activate the expression of EpMYB2 by binding to its G-box site, and the EpMYC2-EpMYB2 module is involved in the MeJA-induced chicoric acid biosynthesis. Overall, we identified an MYB TF that positively regulates the biosynthesis of chicoric acid by activating both primary and specialized metabolic genes. EpMYB2 links the gap between the JA signaling pathway and chicoric acid biosynthesis. This work opens a new direction toward engineering purple coneflower with higher medicinal qualities.

Immuno-antioxidative reno-modulatory effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea extract against bifenthrin-induced renal poisoning.

This study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemical detoxifying activities of Echinacea purpurea ethanolic extract (EEE) against bifenthrin-induced renal injury. Adult male albino rats (160-200 g) were divided into four groups (10 rats each) and orally treated for 30 days as follows: (1) normal control; (2) healthy animals were treated with EEE (465 mg/kg/day) dissolved in water; (3) healthy animals were given bifenthrin (7 mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil; (4) animals were orally administered with EEE 1-h prior bifenthrin intoxication. The obtained results revealed that administration of the animals with bifenthrin caused significant elevations of serum values of urea, creatinine, ALAT and ASAT, as well as renal inflammatory (IL-1ß, TNF-α & IFN-γ), apoptotic (Caspase-3) and oxidative stress (MDA and NO) markers coupled with a marked drop in the values of renal antioxidant markers (GSH, GPx, and SOD) in compare to those of normal control. Administration of EEE prior to bifenthrin resulted in a considerable amelioration of the mentioned deteriorated parameters near to that of control; moreover, the extract markedly improved the histological architecture of the kidney. In conclusion, Echinacea purpurea ethanolic extract has promising ameliorative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, renoprotective, and detoxifying efficiencies against bifenthrin-induced renal injury.

Assessment of clinical chemistry and hematological parameters in female Sprague-Dawley rats following a 7-day oral exposure to three different species of Echinacea.

Echinacea has grown in popularity due to its broad therapeutic benefits. Despite its popularity, comprehensive safety evaluations for three medicinal species are limited. In this study, female Sprague-Dawley rats received oral doses (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/d) of 75% (v/v) ethanol extract from the aerial parts of 9 Echinacea samples of three species - Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida - over a 7-day period. Blood and serum samples, collected twenty-four hours post the final dose, were analyzed for hematology and clinical chemistry parameters. The results revealed varied effects across the tested samples, with many parameters showing no discernible impacts at administered doses. Subtle alterations were observed in parameters such as relative liver weight, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and platelet count. Parameters like relative spleen weight, alanine transaminase (ALT), glucose, urea, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and RBC count exhibited effects in only one out of the nine samples tested. These findings emphasize the heterogeneity in the effects of Echinacea. While the results suggest that Echinacea samples might be considered relatively safe, potential clinical implications warrant caution and underscore the importance of extended testing. A comprehensive toxicity profile assessment remains paramount to conclusively ascertain the safety of three Echinacea species.

Echinacea purpurea root extract mitigates hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, and ultrastructural changes induced by hexavalent chromium via oxidative stress suppression.

Environmental and occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (CrVI) is mostly renowned as a possible hepatotoxic in mammals. Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, a phenolic-rich plant, is recurrently used for its therapeutic properties. Therefore, this investigation was done to explore whether E. purpurea (EP) root extract would have any potential health benefits against an acute dose of CrVI-induced oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity. Results revealed that GC-MS analysis of EP root extract has 26 identified components with a significant amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Twenty-four Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, EP (50 mg/kg BW/day for 21 days), CrVI (15 mg/kg BW as a single intraperitoneal dosage), and EP + CrVI, respectively. Rats treated with CrVI displayed a remarkable rise in oxidative stress markers (TBARS, H2O2, PCC), bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and a marked decrease in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase activities, and serum protein level. Also, CrVI administration induced apoptosis and inflammation in addition to histological and ultrastructural abnormalities in the liver tissue. The examined parameters were improved significantly in rats pretreated with EP and then intoxicated with CrVI. Conclusively, EP had a potent antioxidant activity and could be used in the modulation of CrVI-induced hepatotoxicity.

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.

Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide intervene in hepatocellular carcinoma via modulation of gut microbiota to inhibit TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (EPP) exhibit various pharmacological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanism of EPP intervention in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results demonstrated that EPP effectively mitigated liver injury caused by HCC, inhibited the proliferation of HCC, and induced apoptosis. Following EPP intervention, there was a significant increase in propionic acid and butyric acid-producing gut microbiota such as Coprococcus, Clostridium and Roseburia, leading to enhanced expression of intestinal tight junction proteins and the repair of the intestinal barrier. This controls lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leakage, which in turn inhibits the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and reduces the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, as well as migration factors like MMP-2. Metabolomics revealed the downregulation of pyrimidine metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, along with the upregulation of butyrate metabolism in tumor cells. This study demonstrated that EPP effectively regulated LPS leakage by modulating gut microbes, and this modulation influenced the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, ultimately disrupting tumor cell survival induced by HCC in mice.

Polyphenolic Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of In Vitro Digested Extracts of Echinacea purpurea L. Plant Parts in an Inflammatory Model of Human Colon Cells.

Echinacea purpurea L. (EP) preparations are globally popular herbal supplements known for their medicinal benefits, including anti-inflammatory activities, partly related to their phenolic composition. However, regarding their use for the management of inflammation-related intestinal diseases, the knowledge about the fate of orally ingested constituents throughout the human gastrointestinal tract and the exposition of in vitro digested extracts in relevant inflammatory models are unknown. This study investigated for the first time the impact of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST) on the phenolic composition and anti-inflammatory properties of EP extracts from flowers (EF), leaves (EL), and roots (ER) on IL-1ß-treated human colon-derived CCD-18Co cells. Among the seven hydroxycinnamic acids identified using HPLC-UV-MS/MS, chicoric and caftaric acids showed the highest concentrations in EL, followed by EF and ER, and all extracts exerted significant reductions in IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 levels. After digestion, despite reducing the bioaccessibility of their phenolics, the anti-inflammatory effects were preserved for digested EL and, to a lesser extent, for EF, but not for digested ER. The lower phenolic content in digested EF and ER could explain these findings. Overall, this study emphasizes the potential of EP in alleviating intestinal inflammatory conditions and related disorders.

Development of full-length infectious cDNA clones and host range identification of an echinacea strain of tobacco streak virus.

Tobacco streak virus induces severe diseases on a wide range of plants and becomes an emerging threat to crop yields. However, the infectious clones of TSV remain to be developed for reverse genetics studies. Here, we obtained the full genome sequence of a TSV-CNB isolate and analyzed the phylogenetic characteristics. Subsequently, we developed the full-length infectious cDNA clones of TSV-CNB driven by 35 S promoter using yeast homologous recombination. Furthermore, the host range of TSV-CNB isolate was determined by Agrobacterium infiltration and mechanical inoculation. The results reveal that TSV-CNB can infect 10 plant species in 5 families including Glycine max, Vigna radiate, Lactuca sativa var. Ramosa, Dahlia pinnate, E. purpurea, Calendula officinalis, Helianthus annuus, Nicotiana. Benthamiana, Nicotiana tabacum and Chenopodium quinoa. Taken together, the TSV infectious clones will be a useful tool for future studies on viral pathogenesis and host-virus interactions.

Effect of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and its extracts on the immunization outcome of avian influenza vaccine in broilers.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant with immunomodulatory effects. However, the immunomodulatory effects of EP on broilers after vaccination are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim is to study the effect of EP and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extracts(EE) on avian influenza virus (AIV) immunity, and further explore the potential mechanism of immune regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Broilers were fed with feed additives containing 2% EP or 0.5% EE, and vaccinated against avian influenza. The samples were collected on the 7th, 21st, and 35th day after vaccination, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. Blood antibody titer, jejunal sIgA content, tight junction protein, gene and protein expression of TLR4-MAPK signaling pathway were also detected. RESULTS: The results showed that vaccination could cause immune stress, weight loss, increase sIgA content, and up-regulate the expression of tight junction proteins, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1, as well as the genes of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), activator protein 1 (AP-1) protein gene expression on TLR4-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and the protein expression of MyD88, extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). EP and EE could increase the body weight of broilers, further improve antibody titers, decrease FCR, increase sIgA levels, up-regulate the expression of tight junction proteins, including ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1, as well as the genes of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, and AP-1 and the protein expression of MyD88, ERK, and JNK in the TLR4-MAPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, EP and EE can increase the broiler's production performance and improve vaccine immune effect through the TLR4-MAPK signaling pathway.

Echinacea purpurea extract intervention for counteracting neurochemical and behavioral changes induced by bifenthrin.

This study was conducted to elucidate the possible protective efficiency of Echinacea purpurea hydroethanolic extract (EchEE) against bifenthrin (BIF)-induced neuro-chemical and behavioral changes in rats. Total phenolics content, reducing power and radical scavenging activity of EchEE were estimated. Four groups of adult male albino rats were used (10 rats each) as follows: 1) Control healthy rats ingested with placebo, 2) Healthy rats orally received EchEE (465 mg/kg/day), 3) Rats intoxicated with BIF (7mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil, and 4) Rats co-treated with EchEE (465 mg/kg/day) besides to BIF (7mg/kg/day) intoxication. After 30 days, some neuro-chemical and behavioral tests were assessed. The behavioral tests revealed that rats received BIF exhibited exploratory behavior and spatial learning impairments, memory and locomotion dysfunction, and enhanced anxiety level. Biochemical findings revealed that BIF induced-oxidative stress in the cortex and hippocampus; this was appeared from the significant rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, coupled with decreased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) level in both brain areas. Also, BIF induced a significant increase caspas-3, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) in both areas; dopamine and serotonin levels, and ACh-ase activity were markedly decreased in both areas. Interestingly, treatment of rats with EchEE in combination with BIF resulted in a significant decrease in oxidative stress damage, and modulation of the apoptotic and pro-inflammatory markers. Also, EchEE markedly improved behavioral activities and neurotransmitters level that were impaired by BIF. In conclusion, the present study clearly indicated that EchEE can attenuate brain dysfunction induced by pesticides exposure through preventing the oxidative stress. This may be attributed to its high antioxidant component.

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

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a medicinal plant commonly used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, the common cold, sore throat, migraine, colic, stomach cramps, and toothaches and the promotion of wound healing. Based on the known pharmacological properties of essential oils (EOs), we hypothesized that E. purpurea EOs may contribute to these medicinal properties. In this work, EOs from the flowers of E. purpurea were steam-distilled and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), GC with flame-ionization detection (GC-FID), and chiral GC-MS. The EOs were also evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial and innate immunomodulatory activity. About 87 compounds were identified in five samples of the steam-distilled E. purpurea EO. The major components of the E. purpurea EO were germacrene D (42.0 ± 4.61%), α-phellandrene (10.09 ± 1.59%), ß-caryophyllene (5.75 ± 1.72%), γ-curcumene (5.03 ± 1.96%), α-pinene (4.44 ± 1.78%), δ-cadinene (3.31 ± 0.61%), and ß-pinene (2.43 ± 0.98%). Eleven chiral compounds were identified in the E. purpurea EO, including α-pinene, sabinene, ß-pinene, α-phellandrene, limonene, ß-phellandrene, α-copaene, ß-elemene, ß-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and δ-cadinene. Analysis of E. purpurea EO antimicrobial activity showed that they inhibited the growth of several bacterial species, although the EO did not seem to be effective for Staphylococcus aureus. The E. purpurea EO and its major components induced intracellular calcium mobilization in human neutrophils. Additionally, pretreatment of human neutrophils with the E. purpurea EO or (+)-δ-cadinene suppressed agonist-induced neutrophil calcium mobilization and chemotaxis. Moreover, pharmacophore mapping studies predicted two potential MAPK targets for (+)-δ-cadinene. Our results are consistent with previous reports on the innate immunomodulatory activities of ß-caryophyllene, α-phellandrene, and germacrene D. Thus, this study identified δ-cadinene as a novel neutrophil agonist and suggests that δ-cadinene may contribute to the reported immunomodulatory activity of E. purpurea.

ECHOPvir: A Mixture of Echinacea and Hop Extracts Endowed with Cytoprotective, Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Properties.

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.

A standardized extract of Echinacea purpurea containing higher chicoric acid content enhances immune function in murine macrophages and cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression mice.

CONTEXT: Preparations of Echinacea have been used by herbalists to boost the immune system. OBJECTIVE: In this study, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (Asteraceae) extract with enriched chicoric acid content was investigated for immunomodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The standardized hydroalcoholic extract (4% chicoric acid) was prepared from the aerial parts of E. purpurea (SEP). The extract was screened for in vitro antioxidant activities, and immunomodulation in RAW 264.7 cells, at 200 and 400 µg/mL. Further, the male BALB/c mice (20-25 g) were divided into 4 groups (n = 6 per group). All the groups except control, were intraperitoneally injected with 70 mg/kg/day of cyclophosphamide (CTX) for 4 consecutive days. The treatment groups received SEP extract (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) p.o. from day 5 to 14. RESULTS: The SEP extract inhibited DPPH (IC50 = 106.7 µg/mL), ABTS+ (IC50 = 19.88 µg/mL) and nitric oxide (IC50 = 120.1 µg/mL). The SEP extract's ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value was 1931.63 µM TE/g. In RAW 264.7 cells, SEP extract increased the nitric oxide production by 30.76- and 39.07-fold at 200 and 400 µg/mL, respectively, compared to the untreated cells. SEP extract significantly increased phagocytosis and cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß) in the cells. Further, the extract improved immune organ indices, lymphocyte proliferation and serum cytokine levels in CTX-induced mice. The extract at 200 mg/kg significantly increased the natural killer cell activity (24.6%) and phagocytic index (28.03%) of CTX mice. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly support SEP extract with 4% chicoric acid as a functional ingredient for immunomodulation.

Determination of the Bioactive Compounds from Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Leaves Extracts in Correlation with the Antimicrobial Activity and the In Vitro Wound Healing Potential.

This study aimed at the relationship between antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, and in vitro evaluation of the wound healing effect of the extract obtained from Echinaceae purpureae folium (EPF). This study's objective was to assess the bioactive components (total phenol and flavonoid content) and antioxidant activity of EPF extracts using the DPPH test method. The antioxidant capacity and the quantities of the compounds with antioxidant capacity were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. Antimicrobial activity has been investigated against various pathogenic microorganisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the microdilution method. Additionally, our work used a scratch test to examine the in vitro wound healing effects of EPF extract on NHDF cells. Statistical analysis was used to quantify the rate of migration and proliferation of fibroblast cells within the wound. Microscope pictures of fibroblast cells exposed to various EPF extract dosages were processed to estimate the width of the wound, area of the wound, and cell density inside the wound. The study proved that there was a relationship between the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound healing ability of EPF extracts.

Correlation between Polyphenol Contents and Antioxidant Activities in Different Echinacea Purpurea Varieties.

OBJECTIVE: Polyphenols are complex compounds containing multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups. They are widely distributed in plants and have antioxidant activities. Whether the antioxidant activities of the cultivated varieties of Echinacea are similar to or better than those of the wild ones and the relationship between the accumulation of polyphenols and their antioxidant activities are still not clear. METHODS: Folin-Ciocalteu method, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6)-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, and Fe2+ chelating ability assay were used, respectively, to detect the total polyphenols and 5 kinds of caffeic acid derivatives (chicoric acid, caffeic acid, caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, and the antioxidant activities of 3 varieties of Echinacea: E. purpurea L., cultivar E. purpurea 'Aloha', and E. purpurea 'White Swan'. RESULTS: E. purpurea L. had the highest contents of total polyphenols, 5 caffeic acid derivatives and antioxidant activities, followed by E. purpurea 'White Swan' and E. purpurea 'Aloha', respectively. E. purpurea 'White Swan' had the strongest ability to remove the DPPH, ABTS•+ and free radicals, and to chelate Fe2+; E. purpurea L. had the strongest ability to reduce FRAP. The correlation analyses revealed that the contents of total polyphenols and caffeic acid derivatives of E. purpurea L. and E. purpurea 'White Swan' were correlated with their antioxidant activities. CONCLUSION: E. purpurea L. was the most appropriate material for the development of medicinal plants. E. purpurea 'White Swan' could be used as a substitute for E. purpurea L. in terms of its antioxidant activity.

Molecular Defensive Mechanism of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench against PAH Contaminations.

The understanding of the molecular defensive mechanism of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench against polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination plays a key role in the further improvement of phytoremediation efficiency. Here, the responses of E. purpurea to a defined mixture of phenanthrene (PHE) and pyrene (PYR) at different concentrations or a natural mixture from an oilfield site with a history of several decades were studied based on transcriptomics sequencing and widely targeted metabolomics approaches. The results showed that upon 60-day PAH exposure, the growth of E. purpurea in terms of biomass (p < 0.01) and leaf area per plant (p < 0.05) was negatively correlated with total PAH concentration and significantly reduced at high PAH level. The majority of genes were switched on and metabolites were accumulated after exposure to PHE + PYR, but a larger set of genes (3964) or metabolites (208) showed a response to a natural PAH mixture in E. purpurea. The expression of genes involved in the pathways, such as chlorophyll cycle and degradation, circadian rhythm, jasmonic acid signaling, and starch and sucrose metabolism, was remarkably regulated, enhancing the ability of E. purpurea to adapt to PAH exposure. Tightly associated with transcriptional regulation, metabolites mainly including sugars and secondary metabolites, especially those produced via the phenylpropanoid pathway, such as coumarins, flavonoids, and their derivatives, were increased to fortify the adaptation of E. purpurea to PAH contamination. These results suggest that E. purpurea has a positive defense mechanism against PAHs, which opens new avenues for the research of phytoremediation mechanism and improvement of phytoremediation efficiency via a mechanism-based strategy.

Effects of Echinacea purpurea supplementation on markers of immunity, health, intake, and growth of dairy calves.

Echinacea purpurea (EP) is an herb that has demonstrated immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects with the potential to improve immunity, health, and performance in animals. The objective of this study was to investigate how supplementing calves with EP affects their blood immunity marker profile, health, intake, and growth. Male Holstein calves (n = 240), sourced from local dairy farms or auction, arrived at a rearing facility between 5 and 14 d of age and were kept in individual pens in 1 of 3 rooms (80/room) for 56 d, and then put into groups for the remaining 21 d of the trial. Calves received milk replacer (MR) 2× per day for 56 d (total = 36 kg of MR) and had ab libitum water and starter access. Within room, calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) control (n = 80), (2) 3g of dried (powder) EP extract per day split over 2 milk feedings from experiment d 14-28 (n = 80), and (3) 3 g of dried (powder) EP extract per day split over 2 milk feedings from experiment d 1-56 (E56; n = 80). The powdered EP treatments were mixed into the liquid MR. On d 1, 14, 28, and 57 rectal temperatures and blood were collected from a subset of calves (n = 117; 39 calves/treatment), and blood serum was assessed for serum total protein (d 1), haptoglobin, white blood cells, and cytokines. Failed transfer of passive immunity was defined as serum total protein <5.2 g/dL. Calves were health scored 2× per day, receiving fecal and respiratory scores until d 28 and 77, respectively. Calves were weighed on arrival and then weekly until d 77. Milk replacer and feed refusals were recorded. Supplementation of EP was associated with lower haptoglobin levels, segmented neutrophil counts, segmented neutrophil per lymphocyte ratio, respiratory scores in auction derived calves, and higher lymphocyte counts and d 28 rectal temperature. Of calves with heavier arrival body weight, E56 calves had greater postweaning weekly body weight. There was no detected effect of EP supplementation on total white blood cells, band neutrophil, monocyte, and basophil counts, IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, fecal scores, risk of receiving diarrhea and respiratory treatment, risk of bovine respiratory disease (calves were deemed at risk for bovine respiratory disease if they had at least 1 respiratory score ≥5), risk of mortality, MR and feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio. Overall, EP supplementation to dairy calves was associated with immunomodulation and reduced inflammation, evidenced through blood markers, although only few minor health and growth improvements were observed. Benefits were observed particularly when fed across the whole milk feeding period.