Echinacea: A Comprehensive Overview for Pharmaceutical Applications

Written by Emmanuella Ogbonna, BPharm; Reviewed by Danielle Kelvas, MD, for PTcell for Pharmaceutical Industries LL.C

Preparations containing echinacea, particularly Echinacea Purpura, are among the best-selling herbal supplements in Europe and the United States. (1,2)

It is especially popular for its use in treating the common cold. (3) However, echinacea plants have also shown potential in managing other conditions like chronic arthritis, persistent fatigue syndrome, skin ailments, wounds, bacterial infections, cancer, and chronic pelvic infections. (1, 4)

This article will examine echinacea preparations, classifications, medicinal uses, extraction techniques, and quality control.

Botanical Classification and Characteristics

Echinacea is a group of plants that belongs to one of the most prominent plant families, Asteraceae. (1) This perennial herb is native to North America but is now widely cultivated in Europe, particularly Germany and Switzerland. (1)

There are about 10 well-known echinacea species, although some literature recognises only 9. (5) Of these, only three, namely E. purpurea, E. pallida, and E. angustifolia, are extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their medicinal properties. Up to 80% of echinacea products in the market contain E. purpurea. (5)

Major bioactive compounds

Echinacea contains several bioactive compounds, making it very useful in the pharmaceutical industry. Some of these compounds include alkylamide, flavonoids, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid, echinacoside, and chlorogenic acid. (1, 6)

The concentration of bioactive compounds varies greatly depending on the species and the part of the herb harvested for use(root vs. flowers). (5) For example, the roots and flower heads of E. purpurea and E. angustifolia have the highest concentrations of bioactive compounds, whereas the leaves and stems have the lowest. (5)

Pharmaceutical uses of Echinacea

Studies suggest that echinacea species have immunomodulatory, anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties that make them useful in the pharmaceutical industry. (1)

Some pharmaceutical applications of echinacea include:
Boosting immune system

Echinacea has been found to modulate the immune system, making it popular as an herbal immune stimulant. (4) In fact, in the contemporary US market, it is almost exclusively sold as an immune booster. (5)

Older studies have demonstrated that echinacea plant extracts have a wide- spectrum immunomodulatory effect regulating both innate and adaptive responses.
(7) Its immune-enhancing effects make it a potential treatment for common cold and influenza. (8,9)

While the exact mechanism through which echinacea modulates the immune system is unclear, research suggests that it improves it by activating or suppressing immune specialized cells and interfering in several pathways. (10)

Managing respiratory Infections

While study findings are mixed, researchers consider echinacea preparations a “non-specific immune stimulant” that can help treat and prevent colds. (2) One study found that Echinacea preparations reduced the risk of cold by about 10 to 20%. (3)

The Herbal Medicinal Products Committee (HMPC), a scientific body within the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has listed short-term use of Echinacea, particularly E. purpurea, as a potential treatment and preventive option for common cold. (11)

Managing skin disorders

Echinacea preparations have also been used as a topical treatment for skin inflammation. (1) This herb may also help treat mild to moderate acne, making it a promising add-on for patients with inflammatory acne. (12)

In a 2022 clinical trial, researchers found that people who used echinacea extract for 8 weeks daily saw improvement in their acne than other patients who used probiotics and other herbal products like Solanum melongena. (12)

The HPMC also suggests that E. purpura extract can also be used to treat small superficial wounds. (11) Furthermore, Echinacea is currently being explored as an immunotherapy to manage people with warts. (13)

Anxiety

Studies have also found that echinacea can help improve mood. (11) One study found that the root of Echinacea angustifolia helped decrease anxiety symptoms with mild side effects. (14) In another study, which included data from over 104 participants, researchers observed that echinacea was associated with an overall reduction in anxiety symptoms. (15)

While the exact mechanism remains unclear, some studies suggest that echinacea’s mood-enhancing effects may be due to its ability to prevent oxidative stress. (16)

Reduce Inflammation

Echinacea, particularly E. angustifolia and E. pallida, has been found to have high anti-inflammatory potential. (7) Studies show that echinacea supplementation may decrease the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF and increase the anti- inflammatory cytokine IL-10. (17)

As a filter in Sunscreen

Researchers have also explored extracts from Echinacea as organic filters in sunscreen. One study found that extracts from Echinea purpura significantly improved in-vitro Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and UVA Protection Factor (UVAPF) by over 80% and 60%, respectively. (18)

Quality Control and Standardization of Echinacea

One of the major problems manufacturers of echinacea face is standardisation in the production of batches of the same product. (19) This is especially due to the variability in the composition of its bioactive ingredients.

For instance, antioxidants like cichoric acid and rosmarinic acid appear to be higher in extracts from plants’ flowers and roots than in other parts, such as the leaves. (5) Similarly, areas of the plant above the ground often contain more pyrolizid alkaloids, such as tussilagin and isotussilagin, than the root. (5)

Due to this difference in pharmacological properties among extracts, proper standardisation techniques are required. (1)

Recommended standardisation methods for echinacea include using High- Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and gel filtration chromatography.
(20) The HPLC method helps in detecting and quantifying important phenolic compounds like cichoric acid commonly found in Echinacea sp. (19)
Factors that can hinder the assessment of the effectiveness of available Echinacea preparations include: (21)
● The three different species of echinacea in use
● Different parts of the plant used
● Different methods of extraction are used
● Presence of other homeopathic components

Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulates the use of Echinacea in Europe through its Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). (11) This agency also assesses the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies like echinacea and establishes guidelines for their use within the EU. (11)

Echinacea formulations including capsules, tables, echinacea tea and others are generally safe, even in the long term (22). However, serious allergic reactions, particularly in atopic patients, are possible.

Future Prospects of Extract

Although echinacea preparations are currently focused on their immune-boosting properties, researchers believe that the leaves, which are high in vitamin C and phenolic metabolites, could have other potential uses yet to be harnessed by the industry. (5)

Other potential successful product lines within the echinacea industry include echinacea seed oil and essential oils. In addition, echinacea flowers and roots, rich in alkylamides and cichoric acid, could be used to create antibacterial product lines. (5)

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