Work

Total Bacterial Load within Echinacea purpurea, Determined Using a New PCR-based Quantification Method, is Correlated with LPS Levels and In Vitro Macrophage Activity

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Our previous studies indicate that the majority of in vitro monocyte/macrophage activation exhibited by extracts of Echinacea depends on bacterial components. In the present study, total bacterial load was determined within E. purpurea samples and ranged from 6.4 × 10(6) to 3.3 × 10(8) bacteria/g of dry plant material. To estimate total bacterial load, we developed a PCR-based quantification method that circumvents the problems associated with nonviable/nonculturable cells (which precludes using plate counts) or the coamplification of mitochondrial or chloroplast DNA with the use of universal bacterial primers (which precludes the use of qPCR). Differences in total bacterial load within Echinacea samples were strongly correlated with the activity (NF-κB activation in THP-1 cells) and content of bacterial lipopolysaccharides within extracts of this plant material. These results add to the growing body of evidence that bacteria within Echinacea are the main source of components responsible for enhancing innate immune function.

Source: Planta Medica

DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328023

Authors: Nirmal Pugh, Colin Jackson, David Pasco

Institution: University of Mississippi

Language: English

Topic: Herbal Medicine Research Studies

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health