Human gene expression as a tool to determine horticultural maturity in a bioactive plant (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench) |
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Authors: | Brovelli Ernesto Antonio Rua Diego Roh-Schmidt Haeri Chandra Amitabh Lamont Erin Noratto Giuliana Doris |
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Institution: | Nutrilite Health Institute, 19600 6th Street, Lakeview, California 92567, USA. ernesto.brovelli@nutrilite.com |
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Abstract: | A phenological study was conducted to determine the impact of harvest maturity on the immune-modulating properties of Echinacea purpurea. The aerial parts of this plant were collected during seven stages of development and were assayed for a common botanical marker for this species, cichoric acid. Plants of selected development stages were also assayed for total polysaccharides and compared for their immune-modulating effects on the THP-1 monocyte/macrophage cell line by means of a gene expression study. Although the concentration of cichoric acid did not change significantly during the course of the study, stage 1 (advanced vegetative) had the highest concentration of total polysaccharides and exhibited the most potent induction activity on immune-modulating cytokines such as interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These findings suggest that the use of gene expression may be an effective tool not only to standardize botanical extracts but also to optimize harvest time. |
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