Genetic characterization of the three medicinal Echinacea species using RAPD analysis

The three medicinal species of the Echinacea genus, E. angustifolia DC., E. pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. and E. purpurea (L.) Moench were distinguished using the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) technique. Species-specific markers were identified from amplicons obtained with four of the twenty 10-mer primers contained in the Operon RAPD kit A. In particular, one marker was identified for E. angustifolia (OPA 20, 1800 pb) and E. pallida (OPA 10, 600 pb) and three markers for E. purpurea (OPA 11 : 1250 pb; OPA 17 : 750, 1800 pb). Genetic distance analysis indicated a high degree of difference among the three species with a relative lower difference between E. angustifolia and E. pallida.     

MEKC analysis of different Echinacea species

The distribution pattern of caffeic acid derivatives in Echinacea species is complex, and problems with the identity of each drug have been recognized. Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) has been applied to define the fingerprints of Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea, and their mixtures. The results obtained evidence that MEKC is a valuable tool for the characterization of these drugs.     

The safety of herbal medicinal products derived from Echinacea species: a systematic review.

Echinacea spp. are native to North America and were traditionally used by the Indian tribes for a variety of ailments, including mouth sores, colds and snake-bites. The three most commonly used Echinacea spp. are E. angustifolia, E. pallida and E. purpurea. Systematic literature searches were conducted in six electronic databases and the reference lists of all of the papers located were checked for further relevant publications. Information was also sought from the spontaneous reporting programmes of the WHO and national drug safety bodies. Twenty-three manufacturers of echinacea were contacted and asked for data held on file. Finally our own departmental files were searched. No language restrictions were imposed. Combination products and homeopathic preparations were excluded. Data from clinical studies and spontaneous reporting programmes suggest that adverse events with echinacea are not commonly reported. Gastrointestinal upsets and rashes occur most frequently. However, in rare cases, echinacea can be associated with allergic reactions that may be severe. Although there is a large amount of data that investigates the efficacy of echinacea, safety issues and the monitoring of adverse events have not been focused on. Short-term use of echinacea is associated with a relatively good safety profile, with a slight risk of transient, reversible, adverse events. The association of echinacea with allergic reactions is supported by the present evaluation. While these reactions are likely to be rare, patients with allergy or asthma should carefully consider their use of echinacea. The use of echinacea products during pregnancy and lactation would appear to be ill-advised in light of the paucity of data in this area.     

Simultaneous analysis of alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives for the identification of Echinacea purpurea,Echinacea angustifolia,Echinacea pallida and Parthenium integrifolium roots

A reversed-phase HPLC method was developed using a computer simulation program for the identification of dried roots of Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida and Parthenium integrifolium. Hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds were analysed simultaneously leading to a two-fold decrease in analysis time compared to traditional HPLC methods.     

药材中微量元素测定方法的研究进展

微量元素包含人体必需与可能必需的,随着现代分析技术的不断发展,进行微量元素分析和测定的方法也层出不穷。查阅近几年国内外相关文献,通过对目前的药材中微量元素含量测定方法的研究进展进行综述,包括原子吸收分光光度法、电感耦合等离子体质谱法、荧光光谱法、激光诱导击穿光谱法等,对比分析了各种微量元素含量测定方法的优缺点,以期为提升元素检测标准提供借鉴,不断提高药材质量标准。     

Trace elements and endometriosis: The ENDO Study

There has been limited study of trace elements and endometriosis. Using a matched cohort design, 473 women aged 18–44 years were recruited into an operative cohort, along with 131 similarly aged women recruited into a population cohort. Endometriosis was defined as surgically visualized disease in the operative cohort, and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed disease in the population cohort. Twenty trace elements in urine and three in blood were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Logistic regression estimated the adjusted odds (aOR) of endometriosis diagnosis for each element by cohort. No association was observed between any element and endometriosis in the population cohort. In the operative cohort, blood cadmium was associated with a reduced odds of diagnosis (aOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.98), while urinary chromium and copper reflected an increased odds (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.21, 3.19; aOR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.26, 5.64, respectively). The varied associations underscore the need for continued research.     

Trace elements supplementation: recent advances and perspectives

Supplementation of essential trace elements has become an increasingly important field of research in modern pharmacology. The present review presents general aspects related to the essentiality of inorganic systems in living organisms, followed by a detailed discussion of the supplementation of iron, copper, zinc, chromium, selenium, magnesium and some other minor trace elements. Some recent advances in this field as well as future challenges and perspectives are also discussed.     

Elemental analysis of the medicinal leech

We provide here the first report of the multielement analysis of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis. Preparation of biological samples for analysis is described and the results of estimation of more than 60 elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy are presented. The s, p, d, and f elements detected are classified in terms of macro, trace, and ultratrace content levels.     

早产儿血清微量元素的检测及意义

目的　研究早产儿血微量元素的含量及补充微量元素的意义。方法　采用日立 7170 A型全自动生化分析仪 ,测定 6 2例早产儿、 4 4例正常足月儿血清微量元素锌、铁、铜的含量 ,并对其中 4 2例血清微量元素水平降低的早产儿进行补充微量元素后的纵向观察。结果　足月儿血清锌、铁、铜值分别为 2 0 .86± 5 .32 μmol/ L、 2 3.84± 5 .6 6 μmol/L、 2 2 .6 7± 4 .5 3μm ol/ L ,早产儿血清锌、铁、铜值分别为 17.6 3± 4 .4 6μmol/ L、 19.75± 4 .2 4μmol/ L、19.2 6± 6 .2 1μmol/L ,早产儿血微量元素水平明显低于足月儿 (P<0 .0 1)。经微量元素治疗两周后 ,早产儿血清锌、铁、铜值均明显升高 ,达足月儿水平。结论　早产儿血清微量元素锌、铁、铜水平均低于足月儿 ,常规补充微量元素能恢复早产儿血清微量元素水平     

Investigation on bioavailability of some essential and toxic elements in medicinal herbs

Trace and major elements were determined in medicinal herbs (Cynara scolymus, Matricaria chamomilla, Artemisia absinthium L., Achillea millefolium, and Inula britannica) as well as in rhizosphere soil samples. Based on the results obtained after microwave-acid-assisted digestion (nitric acid + hydrogen peroxide) and single-step extraction (ammonium acetate), the real and potential acidity and redox potential of the soils, uptake, mobility, and bioavailability of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, lead, and cadmium are discussed. By calculating the bioconcentration factors and their deviation from the recommended values, elevated concentrations, were explained in terms of contamination and pollution. The concentrations measured in both plants and soil samples were below maximum allowable concentration ranges considered for the European Union.     

Echinacea and trypanasomatid parasite interactions: Growth-inhibitory and anti-inflammatory effects of Echinacea

Context/objective: Herbal preparations derived from various species and parts of Echinacea (Asteraceae) have been advocated for various medical applications, as a result of the many antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities attributed to them.

Materials and methods: In order to investigate their effects on parasites, four preparations of Echinacea, with distinct chemical compositions, were evaluated for growth inhibition of three species of trypanosomatids: Leishmania donovani, Leishmania major, and Trypanosoma brucei. In addition one Echinacea preparation was tested for anti-inflammatory activity in cell culture models designed to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by L. donovani.

Results and discussion: All Echinacea preparations inhibited growth of the organisms, though with different relative potencies, and in some cases morphological changes were observed. However, there was no obvious correlation with the composition of the marker compounds, alkylamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysaccharides. L. donovani stimulated the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in human bronchial epithelial cells and in human skin fibroblasts, but in both cases the standardized ethanol extract of E. purpurea (L.) Moench (Echinaforce^®) abolished the stimulation, indicating anti-inflammatory activity of this extract.

Conclusions: Thus various Echinacea extracts can inhibit the proliferation of these parasites and at least one can reverse the pro-inflammatory activity of Leishmania donovani.     

Characterization of Echinacea species and detection of possible adulterations by RAPD analysis

In this report we describe the discrimination of all three pharmaceutically relevant Echinacea species by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Genomic DNA prepared from either fresh root material or dried roots was probed in polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using several arbitrary primers. Distinct banding patterns were obtained for E. purpurea, E. angustifolia var. angustifolia, and E. pallida, respectively. Individual Echinacea drugs could be identified within mixtures containing variable amounts of individual drugs. We propose to use RAPD analysis as a rapid and reliable test for proving the identity of Echinacea root drugs.     

TLC and HPLC analysis of Echinacea pallida and E. angustifolia roots

The roots of ECHINACEA PALLIDA are characterized by TLC and HPLC fingerprints of the polyacetylenes, polyenes, and the caffeic acid derivatives. The fingerprints can also be used for the differentiation between E. PALLIDA and E. ANGUSTIFOLIA root extracts. The main constituents of E. PALLIDA roots are tetradeca-8 Z-ene-11,13-diyn-2-one ( 2), pentadeca-8 Z-ene-11,13-diyn-2-one ( 3), pentadeca-8 Z,13 Z-dien-11-yn-2-one ( 4), pentadeca-8 Z,11 Z,13 E-trien-2-one ( 5), pentadeca-8 Z,11 E,13 Z-trien-2-one ( 6), pentadeca-8 Z,11 Z-dien-2-one ( 7), and echinacoside ( 13). E. ANGUSTIFOLIA is usually void of these polyacetylenes and polyenes and is characterized by isobutylamides, echinacoside, and cynarine. The polyacetylenes of E. PALLIDA are very susceptible to autoxidation to the 8-hydroxy-9-ene derivatives. Thus, the chemical composition of the roots depends on the storage conditions.     

Trace elements in e-liquids - Development and validation of an ICP-MS method for the analysis of electronic cigarette refills

Electronic cigarette use has rapidly increased in recent years. In assessing their safety, and in view of coming regulations, trace elements (TE) are among the potentially toxic compounds required to be evaluated in electronic cigarette refill fluids (“e-liquids”). An analytical method using inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS) was developed and rigorously validated in order to determine concentrations of 15 TE in 54 e-liquids from a French brand. Despite a significant matrix effect from the main e-liquid constituents, and difficulties related to the current lack of reference materials, our method demonstrated satisfactory linearity, precision and robustness, and permitted the quantification of low concentrations of these 15 elements: lower limits of quantification (LLQ) obtained were ≤4 ppb for all elements except for Ni, Cu and Zn (16 ppb, 20 ppb and 200 ppb, respectively). All TE concentrations in all tested samples were <510 ppb, mostly near or below the LLQs. This method is transposable and is timely for laboratories seeking to meet a prospective demand in light of current or future regulations.