Anti-inflammatory substances extracted from
An Echinacea composition containing the immunosuppressive components of an Echinacea extract but not the immunostimulatory components is disclosed. A process for isolating Echinacea immunosuppressive components by extraction with lipophilic compounds is also disclosed. The Echinacea composition can be used for treatment of colds, flu, and other upper respiratory tract infections, inflammatory diseases, and immunomodulatory disorders.
1. A process for isolating immunosuppressive alkamides from Echinacea plant material comprising the steps of:
(a) extracting Echinacea plant material with an alcohol to provide an Echinacea concentrate;
(b) extracting the Echinacea concentrate with olive oil to provide a lipophilic fraction containing immunosuppressive alkamides and a hydrophilic fraction; and
(c) separating the hydrophilic fraction from the lipophilic fraction and further extracting the lipophilic fraction with water to remove any hydrophilic components in the lipophilic fraction and to provide a remaining lipophilic fraction having a concentration of Echinacea immunosuppressive alkamides from 0.5 percent to 50 percent w/w.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the Echinacea plant material is selected from the group consisting of Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea atrorubens, Echinacea laevigata, Echinacea sanguinea, Echinacea simulata , and Echinacea tennesseensis.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the water is selected from the group consisting of deionized water, spring water, distilled water, tap water and well water.
5. A process for isolating immunosuppressive alkamides from Echinacea plant material comprising the steps of:
(a) extracting Echinacea plant material with an alcohol to provide an Echinacea concentrate;
(b) extracting the Echinacea concentrate with vegetable oil or lecithin to provide a lipophilic fraction containing immunosuppressive alkamides and a hydrophilic fraction; and
(c) separating the hydrophilic fraction from the lipophilic fraction and further extracting the lipophilic fraction with water to remove any hydrophilic components in the lipophilic fraction and to provide a remaining lipophilic fraction having a concentration of Echinacea immunosuppressive alkamides from 0.5 percent to 50 percent w/w.
6. The process of claim 5 , wherein the Echinacea plant material is selected from the group consisting of Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea atrorubens, Echinacea laevigata, Echinacea sanguinea, Echinacea simiulata , and Echinacea tennesseensis.
7. The process of claim 5 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.
8. The process of claim 5 , wherein the water is selected from the group consisting of deionized water, spring water, distilled water, tap water, and well water.