The Inhibitory Effect of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida on BT-549 and Natural Killer Cells

Background: Echinaceais a plant that has been widely used for its’ medicinal properties, which include antioxidant properties, immune-stimulant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the effects of extracts of Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea as well as the standard components of Echinacea were observed on a breast cancer cell line (BT-549). Also the effects of extracts of Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea, and the standard components of Echinacea on natural killer cells were studied. Methods: The anti-tumor activity of an organic extract of E pallida, organic extracts of E purpurea, and water soluble extracts of E purpurea as well as the standard components of Echinacea were evaluated in vitro on BT-549. In addition, the effect of the function of natural killer cells was determined after exposure to organic extracts of E pallida, water soluble extracts of E purpurea and the standard components of Echinacea. Results: A crude extract of E pallida, crude extracts of E purpurea, water soluble extracts of E purpurea, and a standard components kit of Echinacea all exhibited cytotoxic activity against BT-549. Also, a crude extract of E pallida, two dilutions of crude extracts of E purpurea, water soluble extracts of E purpurea, and a standard components kit of Echinacea had no effect on the viability of natural killer cells. A water soluble extract of E purpurea root and a standard components kit of Echinacea had no significant effect on the function of NK cells. However, one dilution of the crude extract of E pallida, two dilutions of the crude extracts of E purpurea, and one water soluble extract of E purpurea had an effect on the function of the NK cells. Conclusions: This study supports the current research articles that have indicated the anti-tumor effect of extracts of E pallida and E purpurea on another breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Further studies in vitro with Echinacea are needed to determine if this study supports a recent study that indicated an increase in the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells that are exposed to Echinacea.