Pharmaceutical preparations from Echinacea: immunomodulatory potential in cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv12n2-088Keywords:
echinacea genus, immunomodulation, phytotherapy, homeopathy, chronic diseasesAbstract
Echinacea angustifolia is a medicinal plant traditionally used by indigenous peoples of North America and widely incorporated into modern herbal medicine and homeopathy. It has properties anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, with potential application as a complementary therapy in clinical conditions characterized by immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and pathological oxidative stress, including neoplasms, hematological diseases, and recurrent infections. Species of Echinacea genus are used in Phytotherapy and also in Homeopathy to same clinical approach. This study conducted an integrative review of the scientific literature on homoeopathic pharmaceutical preparations of Echinacea genus, encompassing clinical evidence. The results demonstrate consistent growth in scientific production, highlighting modulation of the innate and adaptive immune response, reduction of inflammatory mediators, possible hematopoietic stimulation and even effects on cancer. The homeopathic literature, although less numerous in scientific platforms, presented consistent clinical reports and a high safety profile. So, the results pointed to a phyto-adaptogenic simile effect, which needs to be rationally and methodologically investigated.
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