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Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes

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Echinacea-induced macrophage activation.

Allyn M Sullivan¹, Jennifer G Laba, Jill A Moore

¹Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology

|July 12, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Echinacea purpurea extract (EP) boosts innate immunity by activating macrophages, increasing cytokine production and reducing Listeria monocytogenes infection in vivo. This study reveals EP

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Reprograming Model of Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages for In-vitro Assays

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Published on: April 18, 2025

Area of Science:

Immunology
Pharmacology
Natural Product Research

Background:

Growing public interest in Echinacea lacks robust scientific validation.
Limited understanding of Echinacea's mechanisms of action and efficacy.
Need for scientific evidence on Echinacea's immunomodulatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate Echinacea's ability to upregulate macrophage function.
To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Echinacea-induced macrophage activation.
To assess the in vivo efficacy of Echinacea in a bacterial infection model.

Main Methods:

Murine peritoneal macrophages cultured with Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide-enriched extract (EP).
ELISA for cytokine (IL-6, TNF, IL-12) and nitric oxide (NO) measurement.
MAPK pathway inhibition and Western blotting for signal transduction analysis.
In vivo study with oral EP administration and Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice.

Main Results:

Endotoxin-free EP extract stimulated significant production of IL-6, TNF, IL-12, and NO from macrophages in vitro.
Oral EP administration reduced bacterial load in mouse spleens following Listeria monocytogenes infection.
EP activated macrophages via TLR4-dependent and -independent pathways, involving ERK, p38, JNK, and NF-kappaB signaling.

Conclusions:

Echinacea purpurea extract demonstrates in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory effects.
EP enhances innate immune response through macrophage activation and signaling pathways.
Findings provide scientific evidence supporting Echinacea's traditional use and efficacy.