HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Arabinogalactan and Echinacea Enhance Immune Function

Study Abstract

The immunomodulating effects of two Echinacea species, E. purpurea and E. angustifolia and larch arabinogalactan extracted from Larix occidentalis were examined in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective four-week clinical trial at a naturopathic medical school research center. SUBJECTS/MATERIALS: Forty-eight healthy female volunteers (22-51 y) were randomly assigned to one of six groups: standardized extract of E. purpurea (EP), ultra-refined E. purpurea/E. angustifolia (urEPA), E. purpurea/E. angustifolia (EPA), E. purpurea/E. angustifolia plus larch arabinogalactan (EPALA), larch arabinogalactan (LA), or placebo. METHODS: Immunological tests with enumerative measurements, stool cultures for Lactobacillus acidophilus and yeast, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the Medical Outcomes Study derived SF-36 self-administered questionnaire were assessed at baseline and at four weeks. RESULTS: Complement properdin increased by 21 percent in the EPA group (p<0.05) and by 18 percent in the EPALA group (p<0.05), compared to the placebo group (p>0.05). SF-36 showed improvements in overall physical health, vitality, and emotional health in the same two groups (EPA and EPALA). DISCUSSION: Volunteers in the EPA and EPALA groups had increased production of complement properdin after four weeks of intervention. The increased complement properdin may be an indication of one aspect of immune system stimulation in patients treated with either E. purpurea/E. angustifolia or E. purpurea/E. angustifolia plus larch arabinogalactan.

Study Information

Kim LS, Waters RF, Burkholder PM.
Immunological activity of larch arabinogalactan and Echinacea: a preliminary, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Altern Med Rev.
2002 April
Research Department, Southwest College, Arizona, USA