Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 230-254). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 230-254). Also available on the Internet.

For over a century, documented scientific research and debate has revolved around the therapeutic properties of the medicinal plant Echinacea angustifolia. With overwhelming evidence demonstrating the biological activity of its root phytochemical constituents, the genetic improvement of E. angustifolia by selecting phytochemically rich genotypes has garnered both scientific and commercial interest. This dissertation presents results of multi-disciplinary experiments intended to help establish scientifically based guidelines for breeding efforts aimed at developing therapeutically superior varieties of E. angustifolia in British Columbia. Cultivated E. angustifolia populations from British Columbia and Washington were grown in a common greenhouse environment to identify possible genetically superior populations with respect to root concentrations of therapeutically relevant caffeic acid derivatives (CAD) and alkamides. However, none of the studied cultivated E. angustifolia populations showed significant genetic differences in terms of root phytochemical traits. In the second part, an investigation into correlations between root and shoot phytochemical concentrations in field- and greenhouse-grown plants revealed that concentrations of therapeutically relevant marker compounds in shoots were generally poor predictors of concentrations in roots. Some weak yet significant positive correlations were observed between root and shoot concentrations of CADs but were inconsistent between the two environments. Significant genotype by environment interactions were documented for the first time in phytochemical traits of E. angustifolia in a study of five genetically homogeneous populations grown in three different environments, including 1 greenhouse and 2 field sites in British Columbia. For the final objective, in vitro bioassays showed that environmentally and genotypically related differences in concentrations of CADs and alkamides in E. angustifolia ethanolic root extracts did not translate into significant differences in their anti-inflammatory potential as measured by pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL-6 and IL-8) secretion in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells challenged with rhinovirus. When used in isolation however, pure tetraene alkamide showed a significant inhibitory effect on secretion, thereby further supporting the use of high alkamide production as a selection criterion for therapeutic E. angustifolia cultivar development. A series of recommendations derived from these findings are presented along with ideas for important future studies in the field of Echinacea research. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

As a potential bioremediation system for contaminated soils, I evaluated the use of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus intraradices on roots and shoots uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkyl PAHs, and toxic metals in Echinacea purpurea, in using a controlled 20-week greenhouse study and a complimentary 2-year field study. E. purpurea seeds were either inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus (AM) or not inoculated (non-AM) and grown in soil provided by the National Capital Commission (NCC) that have known contamination. In the greenhouse study, AM inoculation increased the uptake of alkyl PAHs in the roots of E. purpurea. The AM inoculation showed no effect on root uptake of PAHs and toxic metals over the 20-week study period. However, when I calculated the uptake rates (k1) for PAHs between both treatments, the AM treated roots ha 10-fold higher k1 values than non-AM treated roots. The soil concentrations of PAHs were found to increase over time with AM inoculation, suggesting, that AM fungi are causing a solvent depletion through root uptake of minerals and carbon, which concentrates the more hydrophobic PAHs in soils. Alkyl PAHs and metals showed no change over time amongst any of the treatments. Assessing the performance of AM fungi on the uptake of contaminants under field conditions, only PAHs showed increased bioaccumulation in the shoots of E. purpurea with AM inoculation. Alkyl PAHs and metals in plant material were unaffected by the AM inoculation, but increased significantly from year 1 to year 2. The uptake rates among treatments were similar, with non-AM roots having slightly greater uptake. Soil concentrations of PAHs and alkyl PAHs were unaffected over the course of the experiment. Our control soil, however, showed significant increases in concentration from year 1 to year 2 with alkyl PAHs. These results quantified the influence of AM hyphae-mediated uptake of organic and inorganic contaminant transfer from soil to plants and the bioaccumulation kinetics for contaminants by E. purpurea that will be useful for environmental models and phytoremediation strategies.

Echinacea purpurea is a rich source of biologically active compounds, which are attributed to several therapeutic effects. This thesis is focused on the optimization of the extraction process, considered these substances. Maceration was chosen as a type of extraction, due to its simplicity. The Optimal conditions were solid-solvent ratio 1: 5, 40% ethanol, 60 °C, 60 minutes. An extract from the dried flowers of Echinacea purpurea was prepared by this optimized process. The content of total phenolic compounds was set on 365.18 ± 3.51 [mg_GAEl^(-1)] and the antioxidant activity was 507.50 ± 6.89 [mg_TEACl^(-1)]. The percentage of radical scavenging activity ABTS•+ was 95.45 ± 1.30. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested against 3 microorganisms – Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Candida glabrata. There was not detected inhibitory effect on the growth of microorganisms. In a total, 39 volatile compounds were identified, and the biggest group were represented sesquiterpenes (70.9%). The obtained results confirm that Echinacea extract has antioxidant activity and contains several interesting aromatic substances, In the future, it can be used as a natural resource of nutritionally and sensory valuable compounds, e.g., into various foods and delicacies.

Rostliny rodu Echinacea jsou léčivé byliny stimulující imunitní systém. Používají se zvláště v boji proti chřipce a infekcím horních cest dýchacích. V této práci bylo analyzováno 7 komerčních výrobků obsahujících výtažky z rostliny Echinacea vysokoúčinnou kapalinovou chromatografií. Bylo provedeno kvantitativní stanovení derivátů kyseliny kávové, jež jsou látky zodpovědné za léčivé účinky rostliny. Zjištěné obsahy kyseliny chlorogenové, kávové, cichorové a echinakosidu byly porovnány v jednotlivých výrobcích. Dále byly připraveny extrakty z kořene, listů a květů třapatky nachové pomocí extrakce za zvýšeného tlaku extrakčního rozpouštědla při různých podmínkách, aby se z obsahu účinných látek v nich přítomných zjistilo, které extrakční podmínky jsou nejlepší. Z naměřených dat bylo zjištěno, že největší celková koncentrace obsahových látek je přítomna ve výrobku Imunit Echinaceové kapky firmy Simply You. Jako nejlepší extrakční podmínky se ukázaly teplota 80 °C v kombinaci s rozpouštědlem ve složení EtOH/voda = 40/60, a to jak při extrakci kořene, tak i listů a květů.

The main topic of this work is food supplements, their legislation and other theory connected with them, the main focus is on plant nutraceuticals, of which are chosen food supplements marketed to support immunity system - echinacea, sea buckthorn and oyster mushroom, food supplements to support psyche - St. John's wort, ginkgo and valerian and dietary supplements to support body fitness - tribulus, garcinia and psyllium. Subsequently, the topic focuses on the marketing of nutraceuticals, its modern ways and the possibilities of increasing the students' awareness in this field through the principles of media education. In the practical part, 112 students aged 15-19 are presented with a lecture presenting the topic and inviting students to raise their interest in the subject. The feedback of the lecture is provided by a questionnaire whose questions correspond to the hypotheses set by the author. KEYWORDS nutraceuticals, media education, marketing, Echinacea, Garcinia, Pleurotus, Hippophae, Gingko, Plantago, Hypericum, Valeriana, Tribulus

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-09-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:41:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 monteiro_ba_dr_arafcf_parcial.pdf: 206336 bytes, checksum: 50ba616712e67ae80c50a03beaa72edf (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-06-22T12:53:48Z: monteiro_ba_dr_arafcf_parcial.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-06-22T12:54:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000726261_20151010.pdf: 119982 bytes, checksum: 44d8f0a3e6734ccdc79da6e02de2412f (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-10-13T15:52:26Z: 000726261_20151010.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-13T15:53:12Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000726261.pdf: 639151 bytes, checksum: 797e7a318d2a8baa4da1def0af8187f6 (MD5) / A população de idosos vem aumentando no Brasil e no mundo, indicando a necessidade de rever os cuidados com a saúde em busca de melhor qualidade de vida. Alterações da imunidade relacionadas à idade podem ser particularmente prevenidas ou retardadas por intervenção dietética. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o estilo de vida, os hábitos alimentares, o estado nutricional e de saúde, e o efeito do consumo de bebida de frutas contendo Echinacea na saúde de idosos. 60 idosos participantes da Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade (UNATI) de Franca, SP, responderam questionários sobre características sócio-econômicas, cuidados de saúde, hábitos alimentares e estilo de vida, e passaram por avaliação antropométrica e exames laboratoriais. O grupo avaliado apresentou maioria de mulheres (85%), indivíduos com idade entre 60-69 anos (60%), com estudo até ensino médio (60%), aposentados (65%), com renda de até 5 salários mínimos (73,4%). A maioria dos idosos fazia acompanhamento médico (65%) e uso contínuo de medicamento (78,3%), tendo relatado estar com a pressão arterial controlada (80%) e não fumar (100%). 71,7% acreditavam que sua alimentação era saudável, 97% faziam as refeições em casa, 85% escolhiam e preparavam seus alimentos, 65% faziam 5-6 refeições por dia, 63% bebiam menos de 1L água/dia. 90% relataram ter bom funcionamento do intestino e 43,3% realizavam atividade física regularmente. Apenas 13,3% faziam reposição hormonal, 18,3% consumiam suplemento alimentar e 21,7% ingeriam bebida alcoólica. Os participantes apresentaram índice de massa corpórea (IMC) 27,5±4,5Kg/m², com prevalência em excesso de peso e eutróficos, cujos valores reduziram com a idade. Os valores de circunferência da panturrilha (CP) (36,3±3,8cm), circunferência do braço (CB) (31,4±4,1cm) e dobra cutêna triciptal (DCT) (20,6±7,5mm)... / The elderly population is increasing in Brazil and all over the world, highlighting the need to review health care practices in order to achieve a better quality of life. Immunity alterations that are age-related may be particularly prevented or delayed through dietary intervention. This study aimed at evaluating the lifestyle, eating habits, nutritional status and health and the effect of consumption of fruit drink containing Echinacea on elderly health. Sixty elderly, participants of the group of the Open University for Senior Citizens (UNATI), from UNESP at Franca, São Paulo, answered questions about socio-economic issues, health care, food consumption habits and lifestyle, and after, they were submitted to anthropometric and laboratory tests. Within the group that was evaluated had most women (85%), aged between 60-69 years old (60%), up to high school (60%), retired (65%), income up to 5 minimum wages (73.4%). Most seniors were under medical care (65%) and on medication (78.3%). The majority also reported having blood pressure under control (80%) and being non smokers (100%). About 71.7% of the participants believed their diet to be healthy, 97% had their meals at home, 85% chose and prepared their own food, 65% had 5-6 meals/day, 63% drank 1L of water/day. 90% reported having normal bowel function and 43.3% practice regular physical activity. Only 13.3% were doing hormone replacement therapy, 18.3% took dietary supplements and 21.7% drank alcoholic drinks. The participants presented BMI of 27.49±4.5kg/m², with prevalence of overweight and eutrophy, and these values decreased with age. Calf circumference (CC) (36.27±3.84cm), arm circumference (AC) (31.39±4.08cm) and triceps skinfolds (TS) (20.58±7.54mm) values were adequate in most cases... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Echinacea is an herbal supplement commonly used as an immune system stimulant to prevent infections, such as the common cold or flu. Echinacea has been documented as a cyctochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor in vitro, but no formal studies have been conducted in humans. Etoposide is a cytotoxic, topoisomerase II inhibitor, chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of lung cancer. Etoposide is primarily metabolized by CYP 3A4. We report the first possible drug–herbal interaction between Echinacea and etoposide. A 61-year-old gentleman newly diagnosed with nonsmall cell lung cancer began concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and etoposide. He was admitted to the hospital on day 8 of his first cycle and found to be thrombocytopenic. His platelet count eventually reached a nadir of 16 × 103/L, requiring platelet transfusion support. Upon admission, it was discovered he was taking Echinacea, which was discontinued. He received his next cycle of chemotherapy without taking Echinacea. His platelet count decreased to a nadir of 44 × 103/L, but he did not require platelet transfusions. Echinacea likely contributed to this patient's profound thrombocytopenia and should be avoided in patients receiving etoposide and possibly other chemotherapeutic drugs that are CYP 3A4 substrates.

Rausvažiedė ežiuolė (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) apibūdinama kaip priemonė skatinanti medžiagų apykaitą; stimuliuojanti metabolizmo pakitimus ir ląstelių natūralią gynybą esant lėtinėms ir ūmioms ligoms; antiseptikas; dezinfekuojantis žaizdas agentas; vaistas. Darbo tikslas buvo atlikti fenolinių junginių analizę rausvažiedės ežiuolės (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) ekstraktuose, gautuose skirtingais metodais, naudojant spektrofotometrinį metodą ir efektyviąją skysčių chromatografiją. Darbo uždaviniai buvo optimizuoti ekstrakcijos sąlygas (maceracijos metodu) įvertinant skirtingas metanolio koncentracijas ir ekstrakcijos trukmės įtaką fenolinių junginių kiekybinei sudėčiai ekstraktuose; paruošti ekstraktus maceracijos, soksleto ir ekstrakcijos superkritiniais skysčiais metodais; optimizuoti efektyviosios skysčių chromatografijos sąlygas; atlikti kokybinę ir kiekybinę fenolinių junginių analizę Rausvažiedės ežiuolės ekstraktuose, įvertinant a) skirtingas ekstraktų paruošimo metodikas; b) skirtingas augalo dalis. Tyrimo metu optimizuotos ekstrakcijos sąlygos (maceracijos metodu); nustatyta, kad daugiausiai fenolinių junginių išekstrahuota naudojant 70 % metanolį per pirmas 4 ekstrakcijos valandas. Paruošti ekstraktai maceracijos, soksleto ir ekstrakcijos superkritiniais skysčiais metodais. Spektrofotometru nustatyta, kad daugiausiai fenolinių junginių išekstrahuojama maceracijos metodu — 3 kartus daugiau nei soksleto metodu ir 14 kartų daugiau nei ekstrakcija... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (family Asteraceae) herbal medicines and dietary supplements are traditionally used as immunostimulants in the treatment of inflammatory and viral diseases. Employed are roots and aerial parts. The main active compounds of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench are alkamides and polyacetylenes, caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides and glycoproteins. With regard to caffeic acid derivatives, several compounds have been identified from the hydrophilic fractions of Echinacea extracts, such as caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and cichoric acid. Cichoric acid is found to be the main phenolic compound in E. purpurea. From the caffeic acid derivatives, only cichoric acid has shown immunostimulatory properties, promoting phagocyte activity in vitro and in vivo. In addition, cichoric acid has antihyaluronidase activity, and has a protective effect on the free-radical-induced degradation of collagen. Cichoric acid has also shown antiviral activity and has recently been found to inhibit HIV-1 integrase and replication. Tasks of investigation: to prepare samples for phenolic acids analysis by supercritical fluid, soxhlet extractions and maceration methods and optimize SPE parameters. Evaluate amount of cichoric acid and compare it in different parts of plant by spectrophotometric method. Optimize HPLC analysis conditions and identify the main phenolic acids by HPLC. Compare amounts of phenolic acids between plant parts and extraction methods... [to full text]