Assessing the in Vivo Effect of Echinacea Purpurea on Markers of Immune Activities in Children

This is an application to study the biologic activity of a specific formulation of Echinacea purpurea in children 6-11 years old. The goal of the study is to determine if Echinacea purpurea is associated with activation of immune markers including cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interferon alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins 2, 6, and 12 (IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12), as well CD25 and CD69 activation. A total of 40 study children will be randomized to receive either the Echinacea purpurea formulation or placebo for 10 consecutive days at the start of 3 consecutive 30-day periods. Blood samples will be obtained at baseline, at the time of "peak" TNF activity, and either 30 or 120 days after beginning the study medication. Prior to beginning this pediatric study "peak" TNF activity will be determined by administering the Echinacea purpurea to 3 adult volunteers for 10 days and doing frequent blood sampling during this period. If it is demonstrated that this formulation of E purpurea has biologic activity, a large randomized controlled trial is planned to determine if E purpurea can prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI) in children 2-11 years old.