Project 3

Anti-inflammatory activity of Echinacea, Hypericum, and Prunella species

Project Leader: Eve Wurtele

Project Objective

In previous studies regarding infection and immune-modulation bioactivity and bioavailability ethanol extracts from Echinacea roots, it was found that Echinacea had agonistic effects on a mammalian pain receptor. This pain receptor, TRPV1, is an integrator of inflammatory pain and hyperalgesia, as well as a main therapeutic target for analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Hypericum is also known to have anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of Project 3 is to examine relationships between bioactive Echinacea and Hypericum constituents as well as the regulation of TRPV1 ion channel. The hypotheses tested within this project will be as follows:

• Biochemical constituents in Echinacea induce pain-receptor responses by mechanisms distinct from those of reported agonists.
• Echinacea and Hypericum contain constituents with bioactivity against a range of TRPV1-related receptors.

 

 

Office closed during semester break

The Botanical Center's administrative office will be closed December 24 - January 3, in accordance with Iowa State University's semester break recommendation. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, January 4, 2010.

 

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