Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide is a type of alkamide found in the roots of Echinacea species, particularly Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. The traditional use of Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of colds dates back to Native American medicine, where the plant was used for various infections and as a general immune system stimulant. The use of Echinacea extracts, which contain alkamides like dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide, became popular in Western herbal medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially for upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold.

While the specific compound in question is one of the active constituents believed to contribute to Echinacea’s immune-modulating effects, the evidence for efficacy is based on studies evaluating whole plant or extract preparations, not the isolated alkamide. Clinical trials and meta-analyses provide mixed results, with some suggesting a modest reduction in cold incidence or duration and others showing no significant effect. The mechanism is thought to involve modulation of cytokine production and enhancement of phagocytosis, but direct evidence for the specific alkamide’s isolated action is limited. Therefore, the tradition of using Echinacea (and its alkamides) for colds is well established, but robust scientific validation for this constituent alone is lacking, and overall evidence quality is moderate at best.

More about Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
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