Echinacea tennesseensis ethanol tinctures harbor cytokine- and proliferation-enhancing capacities
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The Department of Animal Science originally concerned itself with teaching the selection, breeding, feeding and care of livestock. Today it continues this study of the symbiotic relationship between animals and humans, with practical focuses on agribusiness, science, and animal management.
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The Department of Animal Husbandry was established in 1898. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Animal Science in 1962. The Department of Poultry Science was merged into the department in 1971.
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- Department of Animal Husbandry (1898–1962)
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (parent college)
- Department of Poultry Science (merged with, 1971)
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The Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology seeks to teach subcellular and cellular processes, genome dynamics, cell structure and function, and molecular mechanisms of development, in so doing offering a Major in Biology and a Major in Genetics.
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The Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology was founded in 2005.
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (parent college)
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Abstract
Background—Members of the genus Echinacea are used medicinally to treat upper respiratory infections such as colds and influenza. The aim of the present investigation was to characterize the phytomedicinal properties of the American federally endangered species Echinacea tennesseensis.
Methods—Fifty-percent ethanol tinctures were prepared from roots, stems, leaves, and flowers and tested separately for their ability to influence production of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α as well as proliferation by young human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) in vitro. Tincture aliquots were stored at three different temperatures (4°, −20°C, and −80°C) for 21 h before testing. At one-month post-extraction, tinctures stored at −20°C were tested again for cytokine modulation. Phytochemical analyses were performed using HPLC.
Results—Fresh root, leaf, and flower tinctures stimulated PBMC proliferation. Fresh root tinctures alone stimulated IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α production. No tinctures modulated IL-2 production. Stem tinctures showed no activity. Storage temperature did not influence any outcomes. Root tinctures maintained their ability to modulate IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α production after one month of storage at −20°C.
Conclusions—These results suggest E. tennesseensis harbors phytomedicinal properties that vary by plant organ, with roots demonstrating the strongest activities.
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This is a manuscript of an article from Cytokine 46 (2009): 267, doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2009.02.007. Posted with permission.