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Identification of Bauer alkamide #8 in urine and feces of human subjects ingesting Echinacea root powder
Author(s) -
Lee SunOk,
Wu Lankun,
Wurtele Eve S,
Hendrich Suzanne
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a111-c
Subject(s) - echinacea (animal) , feces , urine , traditional medicine , biomarker , medicine , biology , paleontology , biochemistry
A human study was conducted to determine to what extent major alkamides of Echinacea angustifolia, purpurea , and pallida root, fed in a single dose were absorbed and excreted. We hypothesized that Echinacea alkamides were metabolized and found in the body and could be used as a biomarker of Echinacea intake. The study used a cross‐over design with healthy subjects, 6 female and 6 male. Subjects ingested 4 g of each Echinacea root powder. Total alkamide contents of E. angustifolia , E. purpurea , and E. pallida were 82.6 μmol (major known alkamides: Bauer's alkamide #2, 8, 10, 11, 12, &14), 24.6 μmol (major known alkamides: Bauer's alkamide #2 & 8), and 5.3 μmol (Bauer's alkamide #2), respectively. Bauer's alkamide #8 (N‐isobutyl‐(2E,4E,8Z,10E)‐dodecatetraenamide) was detected in urine samples in subjects who consumed E. angustifolia (8 of 12 subjects) and E. purpurea (6 of 12 subjects) and in fecal samples of 10 out of 12 subjects who consumed E. angustifolia . The 24h urinary and fecal recoveries of alkamide #8 (estimated % of ingested amount) were approximately 0.1 – 0.2 % and 7 – 46 %, respectively. These data indicate that urinary alkamide #8 might serve as a useful biomarker of Echinacea purpurea or angustifolia intake. Echinacea alkamide metabolism and storage should be further investigated. Funded by NIEHS Grant No. PO1 ES12020, Center for Research on Dietary Botanical Supplements, Iowa State University.