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Planta Med 2010; 76(3): 265-272
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1186137
Pharmacology
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anti-herpetic Properties of Hydroalcoholic Extracts and Pressed Juice from Echinacea pallida

Sven Schneider1 , Jürgen Reichling2 , Florian C. Stintzing3 , Silke Messerschmidt3 , Ulrich Meyer3 , Paul Schnitzler1
  • 1Department of Virology, Hygiene Institute, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 2Department of Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3WALA Heilmittel GmbH, Bad Boll/Eckwälden, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received February 18, 2009 revised July 20, 2009

accepted August 16, 2009

Publication Date:
29 September 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Hydroalcoholic extracts and pressed juice from Echinacea pallida were phytochemically characterised by HPLC‐MS analyses. Ferulic and caffeic acid derivatives were identified as major constituents. All tested extracts and pressed juice from Echinacea pallida exhibited a low cytotoxic activity on monkey kidney cells in vitro. The inhibitory activity of Echinacea against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) was analysed with plaque reduction assays. All hydroalcoholic extracts exhibited high levels of antiviral activity against both types of herpesvirus in a dose-dependent manner. Plaque formation was significantly reduced by more than 99 % or completely absent. Pressed juice from E. pallida revealed the highest antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 when compared to hydroalcoholic Echinacea extracts and even highly diluted Echinacea pressed juice still inhibited viral infectivity. Hydroalcoholic extracts were quite active against herpetic infection when HSV-1 or HSV-2 were pretreated with the extracts. In contrast, Echinacea pressed juice revealed antiviral activity during all phases of the viral replication cycle. Additionally, Echinacea pressed juice demonstrated protection of cells against viral infection. In conclusion, hydroalcoholic E. pallida extracts interfere with free herpesvirus but pressed juice is able to interact with herpesvirus inside and outside the cell as well as to protect cells against viral infection, probably by interfering with virus attachment. Hydroalcoholic extracts and pressed juice from E. pallida demonstrated high selectivity indices, a necessary prerequisite for a potential topical treatment of herpetic infections. Different types of Echinacea preparations, such as commercial tinctures, tablets, and teas, are expected to offer different antiviral profiles.

Key words

antiviral - herpes simplex virus - Echinacea pallida - Asteraceae - hydroalcoholic extract - Echinacea pressed juice

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Dr. Paul Schnitzler

Department of Virology
Hygiene Institute

Im Neuenheimer Feld 324

69120 Heidelberg

Germany

Phone: + 49 62 21 56 50 16

Fax: + 49 62 21 56 50 03

Email: Paul_Schnitzler@med.uni-heidelberg.de