Planta Medica International Open 2017; 4(S 01): S1-S202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608444
Poster Session
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Echinacea purpurea extract can reverse respiratory virus induced secondary bacterial infection

S Vimalanathan
1   University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
,
R Schoop
2   A. Vogel Bioforce AG, Roggwil TG, Switzerland
,
A Suter
2   A. Vogel Bioforce AG, Roggwil TG, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)

 

Respiratory virus infections, including influenza (IVA), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RV) and parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3), predispose airways to secondary bacterial infections leading to bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and sepsis, which cause high morbidity and lethality. The medicinal herb Echinacea purpurea has been used to prevent viral respiratory infections and support immune functions.

In this in vitro study, we investigated the effect of standardized Echinacea extract (Echinaforce, EF) on respiratory virus-induced bacterial receptors (ICAM-1, CEACAM-1, PAFr), and adhesion of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumonia on human bronchial epithelial cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells from pediatric patient (6y). Our results revealed that IVA, RSV and RV infection augment adhesion of H. influenzae and S. pneumonia, and that EF reduced bacterial adhesion by down regulating bacterial receptors.

Our results indicate that E. purpurea has the potential to reduce the risk of respiratory complications by preventing virus-induced bacterial adhesion providing a rational basis for benefits observed in clinical studies and meta-analysis [1].

[1] Schapowal A, Klein P, Johnston SL. Adv Ther. 2015;32:187 – 200