Elderberry Extract Boosts Immunity

GIESSEN, GermanyAccording to a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Rubini elderberry liquid extract is active against human pathogenic bacteria as well as influenza viruses (2011;11:16). Black elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) are well known as supportive agents against common cold and influenza, and bacterial super-infection during an influenza virus (IV) infection can lead to severe pneumonia. Therefore, researchers analyzed a standardized elderberry extract (as Rubini, from BerryPharma AG) for its antimicrobial and antiviral activity using the microtitre broth micro-dilution assay against three Gram-positive bacteria and one Gram-negative bacteria responsible for infections of the upper respiratory tract, as well as cell culture experiments for two different strains of influenza virus.

The antimicrobial activity of the elderberry extract was determined by bacterial growth experiments in liquid cultures using the extract at concentrations of 5 percent, 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent. The inhibitory effects were determined by plating the bacteria on agar plates. In addition, the inhibitory potential of the extract on the propagation of human pathogenic H5N1-type influenza A virus isolated from a patient and an influenza B virus strain was investigated using MTT and focus assays.

The standardized elderberry liquid extract possessed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes and group C and G Streptococci, and the Gram-negative bacterium Branhamella catarrhalis in liquid cultures. The liquid extract also displayed inhibitory effect on the propagation of human pathogenic influenza viruses. These activities suggest additional and alternative approaches to combat infections might be provided by this natural product.