The immunomodulatory activity of Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) root extract
By ralphflores // 2021-09-29
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In this study, researchers from the University of Minnesota looked at the immunomodulatory activities of Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower). Their findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.
  • Traditional healers have used E. purpurea for years to treat various illnesses.
  • Its health benefits when it comes to the immune system, however, have not been fully explored.
  • The researchers looked at E. purpurea root extract and its effects on concanavalin A (ConA)-activated murine splenocytes.
  • They also investigated E. purpurea root extract's effect on the production of cytokines, such as interferon-gamma, interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor, in these cells.
  • The researchers found that E. purpurea root extract did not impact splenocyte survival and interleukin-2 production.
  • However, treatment with the extract increased interferon-gamma cytokine levels and the number of ConA-activated splenocytes.
In sum, E. purpurea root extract has potential immunomodulatory benefits. Learn more about other herbal treatments at NaturalMedicine.news. Journal Reference: Cadiz MP, Schara MR, Kemp BH, Gibbons Johnson RM. ECHINACEA PURPUREA ROOT EXTRACT INCREASES TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR PRODUCTION BY CONCANAVALIN A-ACTIVATED MURINE SPLENOCYTES. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2019;22(11):1146–1150. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2019.0065
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