[Testing for immunomodulating effects of ethanol-water extracts of the above-ground parts of the plants Echinaceae (Moench) and Rudbeckia L].

Abstract

Ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of the plants Echinacea angustifolia DC, Echinacea purpurea L. (Moench), Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii, Boyton et Beadle, and Rudbeckia speciosa Wenderoth show immunomodulating activity. The mice were treated in vivo for 5 days and the activity was tested for and observed on day 7. An immunostimulatory effect was observed on the phagocytic, metabolic and bactericidal activities of peritoneal macrophages. The ethanolic extracts of both Echinacea plants also increased the total weight of the spleens as compared to the effect of the Rudbeckia plants and the control group which received saline.