Evaluation of the protective effect of the Echinacea Purpurea against apoptosis and inflammation induced by overdose of iron dextran on the hematopoietic system

Objectives Investigate the cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects of two different doses of Echinacea purpurea extract against iron overload-induced bone marrow suppression and spleen cell damage. Methods 50 male rats divided into five groups: (I) received a 0.2 mL intraperitoneal saline injection, 1 mL oral gavage daily. (II) intraperitoneally injected (200 mg/kg iron); daily oral gavage 1 mL saline solution. (III) intraperitoneally injected (200 mg/kg iron), E. purpurea (100 mg/kg/day) orally administered. (IV) intraperitoneally injected (200 mg/kg iron), E. purpurea (200 mg/kg/day) orally administered. (V) intraperitoneally injected (200 mg/kg iron), orally administered vitamin E (200 mg/kg/day). Injections administered every 3 days; treatment for 4 weeks. Results Echinacea Purpurea significantly reduces monocyte cell count, Akt1, Foxo-1, and NFκB; significantly elevates lymphocyte cell count; and highly significantly elevates Sirt-3 gene expression. It substantially reduces the levels of IL-6, MCP-1, and FasL. Conclusions Echinacea Purpurea exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and it reduces bone marrow suppression and spleen cell injury caused by iron overload.