Volatile constituents and biological activities of the leaf and root of Echinacea species from South Africa

Abstract

is used ethnomedicinally for the treatment of various diseases such as cough, respiratory infections, and bronchitis among other uses in Eastern Cape region of South Africa. This study evaluated the volatile components of the essential oil of the plant, its toxicity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in rodents. Dried leaf and root of the plant were separately processed by hydrodistillation for 4 h and their essential oils (EOs) were collected. Extracted oils were subjected to GC/GC-MS analysis. The essential oil was further evaluated for acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The toxicity profile of the essential oil was evaluated in mice through the oral route (p.o.), and anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on the carrageenan-induced edema model in rats at the doses of 100-200 mg/kg, while its analgesic effect was evaluated on the acetic acid-induced writhings model in mice at doses of 100-200 mg/kg. GC/GC-MS analysis of EOs showed that a number of compounds identified in the leaf and root oils were 25 and 31 respectively. The chemical compositions of the oils varied and the major compounds identified in the oils include germacrene D, naphthalene, caryophyllene oxide, α-phellandrene and α-cadinol. The essential root oil did not cause mortality at the highest dose of 5000 mg/kg; hence, its LD was estimated to be ⩾5000 mg/kg, p.o. The anti-inflammatory test results showed that the essential root oil caused significant ( < 0.05-0.01) reduction in edema size compared to the negative control group on the carrageenan-induced edema and the results for the analgesic test showed that the essential root oil caused significant ( < 0.05) reduction in number of writhings at 1000 mg/kg compared to the negative control group. It is concluded that root and leaf of this species contain volatile oils which varied in their yield and chemical compositions. The essential root oil is non-toxic orally and it demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in laboratory animals.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Compositae Family and Its Therapeutic Potential

“…Echinacea purpurea, also known popularly as echinacea, is a species originally from the United States and has been used for centuries by Native Americans for combating various diseases [48]. This species appears in the list of monographs of traditional phytotherapy use of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and it is in the MFFB for internal use to combat cold symptoms.…”

“…Nyalambisa et al [48] demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil of its roots by the reduction of paw edema in mice. They also elucidated its chemical composition as mainly germacrene D, naphthalene, caryophyllene oxide, α-phellandrene (7), and α-cadinol (8).…”

Echinacea plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents: From traditional medicine to biotechnological applications

“…For example, different parts of E. purpurea plants were hydrodistillated and tested for their anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities. The main components found in the leaf and root EOs included germacrene D (18.1% and 20.3%, respectively), naphthalene (7.8% and 6.4%, respectively), caryophyllene oxide (11.3% and 12.2%, respectively), α‐phellandrene (6.9% and 6.6%, respectively), α‐cadinol (9.1% and 5.9%, respectively), and caryophyllene (4.5% and 4%, respectively, Nyalambisa et al, ). Another study reported by Mazza and Cottrell () showed that the major compound found in E. purpurea root EO was α‐phellandrene, whereas, in flower, leaf, and stem tissues, it was β‐myrcene.…”

Comparison of different green‐extraction techniques and determination of the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of Echinacea angustifolia L. extracts

“…Our attention is focused on the extraction of bioactive compounds from Echinacea angustifolia , a native plant in both North America and Europe. This species has a long history of medical use for a variety of conditions especially for its immunostimulant effects, in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections …”

“…This species has a long history of medical use for a variety of conditions especially for its immunostimulant effects, in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. 7 Echinacea angustifolia metabolome profile is well documented 3 and several groups of constituents including alkamides, polysaccharides and caffeic acid derivatives are considered important for its biological activity. 8 The objective of the present study was the optimisation of different green extractive methods to obtain the highest yield of bioactive compounds that could be used as improved source for therapeutic applications, especially polysaccharides and antioxidants, the most important bioactive compounds recognised for their immunostimulant activity.…”