Echinacea purpurea extract can reverse respiratory virus induced secondary bacterial infection

Respiratory virus infections, including influenza (IVA), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RV) and parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3), predispose airways to secondary bacterial infections leading to bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and sepsis, which cause high morbidity and lethality. The medicinal herb Echinacea purpurea has been used to prevent viral respiratory infections and support immune functions.

In this in vitro study, we investigated the effect of standardized Echinacea extract (Echinaforce, EF) on respiratory virus-induced bacterial receptors (ICAM-1, CEACAM-1, PAFr), and adhesion of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumonia on human bronchial epithelial cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells from pediatric patient (6y). Our results revealed that IVA, RSV and RV infection augment adhesion of H. influenzae and S. pneumonia, and that EF reduced bacterial adhesion by down regulating bacterial receptors.

Our results indicate that E. purpurea has the potential to reduce the risk of respiratory complications by preventing virus-induced bacterial adhesion providing a rational basis for benefits observed in clinical studies and meta-analysis [1].

[1] Schapowal A, Klein P, Johnston SL. Adv Ther. 2015;32:187 – 200