Phytochemical Screening and Some Pharmacological Effects of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Echinacea Purpurea flowers.

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the preliminary phytochemical screening of both aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Echinacea purpurea herb (Family Asteraceae). Estimation of the acute oral toxicity (LD50) of graded doses of these extracts in mice was undertaken. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo evaluations of some pharmacological properties of these extracts were also studied. The following experiments were carried out: 1- Preliminary phytochemical screening: The preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant extracts was performed to determine the presence of alkaloids, glucosides, tannins, saponins, resins, flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds using standard colorimetric methods. The results clearly revealed presence of only polyphenolic compounds, tannins and glycosides in the plant extract. In vitro and in vivo determinations of some pharmacological activities of both extracts of Echinacea purpurea herb and results were as follows: These experiments included determination of the acute oral toxicity (LD50) of both aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts and anti-Alzheimer activity, hepatoprotective effect on HepG2 cells and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro by COX-1/COX-2 inhibition test. Moreover, anti-Alzheimer activity, effect on male fertility, hepatoprotective effect in vivo were also undertaken.