Agnew, Linda; Addison, Russel S; Matthias, Anita; Bone, Kerry; Lehmann, Reg; Watson, Kenneth

Author(s)

Agnew, Linda

Addison, Russel S

Matthias, Anita

Bone, Kerry

Lehmann, Reg

Watson, Kenneth

Publication Date

2010

Abstract

Echinacea preparations are widely used for the prevention and treatment of colds and flu. Studies have shown that alkylamides are present in plasma after oral dosing with echinacea preparations [1,2]. It is well known that continued use of certain drugs can result in changes to their clearance rate and hence their pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic effects. Pharmacokinetic data such as this does not exist for the prophylactic use of echinacea. In this study, the effects of supplementation with echinacea on alkylamide bioavailability and pharmacokinetics were examined before and after prophylactic use of echinacea. Six healthy volunteers aged 24 to 66 years with a body mass index ranging from 22.7 to 24.6 participated in the study. They consumed 2 echinacea tablets twice a day for 14 days. On days 0 and 15, participants consumed 4 echinacea tablets (a total of 17.67mg of alkylamides). Blood samples were taken at 0, 30, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 360 minutes post dose and alkylamide levels were determined as previously described [1]. There was no evidence for either the induction or inhibition of alkylamide metabolism as evidenced by consistent elimination half life data. There was a trend towards more rapid alkylamide absorption and achievement of a higher Cmax before the prophylactic use of echinacea but these changes were not statistically significant and there was no difference to the extent of absorption (AUC). Plasma ratios of the tetraene alkylamides were also examined. These were similar to those found in the tablets used in the study and were not altered after prophylactic use of echinacea. In conclusion, prophylactic use of echinacea for 2 weeks does not appear to alter the pharmacokinetics of the alkylamides in echinacea.

Citation

Planta Medica: Journal of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research, v.76, p. 1351-1351

ISSN

1439-0221

0032-0943

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/10119

Publisher

Georg Thieme Verlag

Series

Planta Medica

Title

Effects of echinacea supplementation on alkylamide pharmacokinetics

Type of document

Conference Publication

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Agnew, Linda Addison, Russel S Matthias, Anita Bone, Kerry Lehmann, Reg Watson, Kenneth
Publication Date	2010
Abstract	Echinacea preparations are widely used for the prevention and treatment of colds and flu. Studies have shown that alkylamides are present in plasma after oral dosing with echinacea preparations [1,2]. It is well known that continued use of certain drugs can result in changes to their clearance rate and hence their pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic effects. Pharmacokinetic data such as this does not exist for the prophylactic use of echinacea. In this study, the effects of supplementation with echinacea on alkylamide bioavailability and pharmacokinetics were examined before and after prophylactic use of echinacea. Six healthy volunteers aged 24 to 66 years with a body mass index ranging from 22.7 to 24.6 participated in the study. They consumed 2 echinacea tablets twice a day for 14 days. On days 0 and 15, participants consumed 4 echinacea tablets (a total of 17.67mg of alkylamides). Blood samples were taken at 0, 30, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 360 minutes post dose and alkylamide levels were determined as previously described [1]. There was no evidence for either the induction or inhibition of alkylamide metabolism as evidenced by consistent elimination half life data. There was a trend towards more rapid alkylamide absorption and achievement of a higher Cmax before the prophylactic use of echinacea but these changes were not statistically significant and there was no difference to the extent of absorption (AUC). Plasma ratios of the tetraene alkylamides were also examined. These were similar to those found in the tablets used in the study and were not altered after prophylactic use of echinacea. In conclusion, prophylactic use of echinacea for 2 weeks does not appear to alter the pharmacokinetics of the alkylamides in echinacea.
Citation	Planta Medica: Journal of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research, v.76, p. 1351-1351
ISSN	1439-0221 0032-0943
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/10119
Publisher	Georg Thieme Verlag
Series	Planta Medica
Title	Effects of echinacea supplementation on alkylamide pharmacokinetics
Type of document	Conference Publication
Entity Type	Publication

Effects of echinacea supplementation on alkylamide pharmacokinetics

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