Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench for prophylaxis of respiratory disease in calves – How to find the right dosage?

In calves stressors like weaning, transportation and a new environment with unknown antigens, lead to an impairment of the premature immune system and respiratory diseases. The application of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP) could be a preventive measure, but clinical studies in calves are missing. The aim of this study is the estimation of oral dosages of EP (in g drug equivalent (g de)) for calves. Based on a systematic review [1], 48 studies were identified for EP. Peer-reviewed in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, published in the years 1994 – 2014 in English or German were considered. In 20 studies no conclusion on used dosage could be drawn due to a lack of given data. A number of 26 studies could prove beneficial effects of EP on the immune system, whilst 8 couldn't. The median used concentration of the 10 in vitro studies was 0,16 (min:0,002; max 50)mg de EP/ml. To include data from studies with living mammals, a conversion via metabolic body weight (MBW) was conducted. For 18 studies with living mammals (humans: 9; laboratory rodents: 4; horses, dogs, pigs, sheep: 5) the amount of used de in g/kg MBW per day could be determined. In studies proving evidence, used dosages range between 0,005 and 53,75 (median: 1,84; 25% quartile: 0,57; 75% quartile: 8,97)g de EP/day estimated for a 60 kg calf (disproving studies: min: 0,844; median: 1,69; max: 12,47) (fig. 1). Duration of application ranges between 5 and 60 days in studies proving evidence for EP, and 10 to 56 days in disproving studies. Dosages from current studies were compared with standard literature [2 – 5] (fig 1). For studies of pharmacodynamic and clinical trials we propose to use dosages of 0,2 – 20 g de EP/day/60 kg calf in pharmaceutical quality and with known phytochemical composition for a duration of 7 – 30 days. To conclude, clinical trials in calves are needed to define effective dosages of EP.

Fig. 1: Dosages of Echinacea purpurea (L) MOENCH converted for calves depending on used part of plant and qualitative effectivity

Acknowledgements: The authors gratefully thank the Swiss retailer Migros for funding this study.

Keywords: Echinacea purpurea, calf, dosages.

References:

[1] Ayrle H, Mevissen M, Kaske M, Nathues H, Gruetzner N, Melzig M, Walkenhorst M. Medicinal plants – prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A systematic review. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12: 89

[2] ESCOP, ESCOP Monographs. Exeter, Stuttgart, New York: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy and Georg Thieme Verlag 2 ed. 2003

[3] Reichling J, Gachnian-Mirtscheva R, Frater-Schröder M, Saller R, Rabinovich MI, Widmaier W. Heilpflanzenkunde für die Veterinärpraxis. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer Verlag 2 ed. 2008

[4] Wynn SG, Fougère BJ. Veterinary herbal medicine. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier 1 ed. 2007

[5] Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, Monografien der E-Kommission (Phyto-Therapie). Bundesanzeiger Verlagsgesellschaft 1994

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).