Evaluation of Echinacea purpurea(L.) Moench extract electrosprayed nanoparticles on the immune system via assessment of the inflammatory factors

Abstract

Introduction: Echinacea purpurea(L.) Moench from¬¬ the Asteracea family has immunomodulatory effect. The different parts of E.purpurea contain active ingredient such as alkylamids, chicoric acid, polysaccharids and flavonoids. Therefore E.purpurea selected for preparing its nanoparticle with electrospray method, and improving its morphological properties and immunomodulatory effect. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluation of E.purpurea extract electrosprayed nanoparticles on the immune system via assessment of the inflammatory factors. Methods: The E.purpurea-EudragitRS100 nanoparticles with the different extract:polymer ratios and solution concentrations were prepared using electrosprayin technique. The size and morphological characteristics of the nanoparticles were evaluated using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). In order to evaluation of E.purpurea-EudragitRS100 nanoparticles on the immune system, five male rat groups were studied in this research, which included: the group received distilled water, receiving E. purpurea extract in different doses (30,100mg/kg) and receiving E.purpurea-EudragitRS100 nanoparticles in different doses (30,100mg/kg). In the end rats were anesthetized and blood samples were collected to measure inflammatory factors and CBC count. Results: According to solution concentration, nanoparticles with the particle size range from 200-2000 nm were produced. In vivo study indicated, 100 mg/kg of total extract and E.purpurea-EudrRS100 nanoparticles significantly increased the serum level of TNF-α. 100 mg/kg of E. purpurea-EudrRS100 nanoparticles significantly increased the serum level of IL1β and 30mg/kg of E.purpurea-EudrRS100 nanoparticles significantly increase the number of WBCs compared to the control group. lymphocytes in all groups receiving E.purpurea-EudrRS100 nanoparticles and E.purpurea extracts increased significantly compared to the control group (P <0.05). nanoparticles didn’t show significant changes in other blood parameters. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, E.purpurea-EudrRS100 nanoparticles with improved morphological characteristics are possible to be formulated through optimizing the prepration parameter. Gavage of prepared nanoparticles in comparison with total extract to rats increased the serum levels of IL-1β and whole white blood cells.