Immune-modulation and Anti-infection Properties of the Phytomedicine Echinacea

Extracts of Echinacea species were used traditionally in North America for the treatment of infections and wounds, and preparations derived from Echinacea purpurea ‐ cytotoxic concentrations. The immune modulation is manifest in two ways: as a stimulation of phagocytosis and other functions in various types of immune cells, and as an antiinflammatory agent in epithelial and other cells infected with proinflammatory viruses and microbes. Studies of gene expression in infected and uninfected cells have revealed that Echinacea extracts can bring about numerous changes in expression of cytokine, chemokine, and many other immune ‐ related genes. Thus Echinacea causes many alterations in signaling pathways involved in control of various immunological functions, resulting in control of the invading pathogen and amelioration of associated symptoms.