Three Arm Trial of Immune Effects of Echinacea

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

In brief

The goal of this study is to determine if either of two, commercially available, Echinacea purpurea products stimulate the immune system. For the study, 60 healthy adults will be randomized to receive one of the two Echinacea purpurea products or placebo for 10 days. Blood will be drawn to assess immune markers just before beginning the study medication, during the 10 day course of medication and after completing the course of medication. It is postulated that adults receiving either of the Echinacea products will have evidence of immune stimulation and those receiving placebo will not.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01129128

Run by

University of Washington

People needed

67

Starts

2010-05-01

Expected to finish

2011-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2012-06-21

Who can join

Age: 21 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Healthy adult (based on a screening health questionnaire)
• Speaks and reads English.
• If female of child-bearing potential, willing to use contraception to prevent pregnancy during the study.
• No use of any medication (other than multivitamins, essential fatty acids, oral contraceptives and probiotics) for 2 weeks prior to first dose of study.
• Willing to abstain from ingesting edible mushrooms for 2 weeks prior and throughout study.
• Willing to eat less than 2 garlic cloves per day for 2 weeks prior and during the study period

You may not qualify if…

• Pregnancy or currently breastfeeding.
• History of autoimmune disease or immune disorders.
• History of asthma.
• History of allergic rhinitis.
• History of physician diagnosed eczema, psoriasis or other skin condition that could mask an Echinacea-induced rash.
• Known allergic reaction to Echinacea or related species, specifically ragweed (Ambrosia), chamomile (Matricaria), goldenrod (Solidago), and sunflower (Helianthus).
• Known allergic reaction to xylitol sweetener, glycerine, citric acid, or citrus fruits

Where it is running

• Bastyr University — Kenmore, Washington, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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