The modulatory influence of some Echinacea-based remedies on antibody production and cellular immunity in mice

Abstract

Echinacea purpurea-containing remedies are herbal medicines used in respiratory tract infections and several inflammatory conditions as enhancers of non-specific and modulators of specific cellular immunity. They also exert anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-microbial activity. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vivo influence of orally administered three Echinacea purpurea-based remedies (IMMUNA L drops, ECHINA CEA FORT E drops, IMMUNA L FORT E tablets) on some parameters of cellular and humoral immunity in mice. Results: Feeding mice for seven days with IMMUNA L drops resulted in enhanced anti-SRBC antibody production and modulatory effect on proliferative response to PHA of their splenic lymphocytes. No stimulatory effect was observed on splenocytes chemokinesis. Mice fed with ECHINA CEA FORT E drops presented enhanced response to PHA of their splenocytes. However, contrary to the previous group, no enhancement of antibody production was observed. In this group, lymphocyte-induced immunological angiogenesis (LIA) and chemokinesis (spontaneous migration - SM) of spleen lymphocytes was diminished after feeding mice with both doses (LIA) or with a higher dose (SM) of remedy. Lymphocyte-induced immunological angiogenesis activity of splenocytes collected from animals fed with prophylactic and therapeutic IMMUNA L FORT E tablet doses did not differ from the controls.