Short communication, Note

https://doi.org/10.1515/acph-2015-0036

Fractionation and evaluation of proteins in roots of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

GABRIELE BALCIUNAITE ; Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania 2 Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
JOVITA JUODSNUKYTE ; Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania 2 Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
ARUNAS SAVICKAS ; Department of Social Pharmacy and Drug Technology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
ONA RAGAZINSKIENE ; Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University Kaunas, Lithuania
LUKA SIATKUTE ; Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania 2 Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
GITANA ZVIRBLYTE ; Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
EDITA MISTINIENE ; Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
NIJOLE SAVICKIENE ; Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania 2 Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

Abstract

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a plant rich in flavonoids, essential oils, phenolic compounds, saponins, polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protein content in dried roots of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench after homogenization of roots with liquid nitrogen, extraction in 0.01 mol L–1 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and purification followed by fractionation of proteins using gel filtration chromatography. Total concentration of proteins was measured using the Bradford method, and evaluation of the molecular mass of proteins was accomplished by applying the SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis. The Bradford assay revealed that the highest concentration of proteins in fractions collected after gel filtration chomatography was 4.66–6.07 mg mL–1. Glycoproteins, alkamides and polysaccharides in roots of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench are chemical compounds responsible for their immunomodulatory properties. However, information about the difference of protein contents in fresh and dried roots of E. purpurea is insufficient.

Keywords

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench; proteins; gel filtration chromatography; SDS-PAGE

Hrčak ID:

144154

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/144154

Publication date:

31.12.2015.

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