Echinacoside (Phenylethanoid Glycoside · Neuroprotective · Male Health)
| Compound | Echinacoside |
| Chemical class | Phenylethanoid Glycoside (Caffeic Acid Ester Glycoside) |
| CAS | 82854-37-3 |
| Primary source | Cistanche tubulosa (desert ginseng / Rou Cong Rong), Echinacea angustifolia root |
| Key applications | Neuroprotective, testosterone/male health, hepatoprotective, adaptogenic |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Cistanche extract standardised to echinacoside (50%); Echinacea angustifolia root extract |
| Buy from Herbuno | Contact Herbuno for sourcing enquiries → |
Name origin: From Echinacea — echinacoside was first isolated from Echinacea angustifolia root in 1950. Despite the name, Cistanche tubulosa is now the primary commercial source due to much higher echinacoside content (5–10% in Cistanche vs <1% in Echinacea root). Echinacoside is a phenylethanoid glycoside — a caffeic acid ester linked to a trisaccharide with a hydroxytyrosol phenylethanol core. Traditional use: Cistanche tubulosa (Rou Cong Rong, or Cistanche deserticola) is one of the most valued TCM tonic herbs, traditionally prescribed for kidney yang deficiency, sexual function, male fertility, musculoskeletal weakness, and intestinal lubrication. Known as “Ginseng of the Desert” in China, it is harvested from the roots of host plants in arid regions. Research trajectory: Echinacoside has attracted research for neuroprotective mechanisms (dopaminergic neuron protection), male reproductive health (testosterone modulation, sperm quality), and hepatoprotective activity. It has a substantial evidence base from Chinese research groups. Commercial source: Echinacoside is commercially available as a high-purity standardised extract (50% HPLC) from Cistanche tubulosa, alongside a Verbascoside 10% Cistanche extract for formulations targeting that co-constituent. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Echinacoside Applications
Neuroprotective and Parkinson’s disease models: Echinacoside protects dopaminergic neurons from MPTP and 6-OHDA toxicity in Parkinson’s disease animal models — among the most studied neuroprotective mechanisms for this compound. It activates Nrf2/HO-1, reduces α-synuclein aggregation, and inhibits LRRK2 (a Parkinson’s disease-associated kinase). Chinese clinical studies of Cistanche extract for Parkinson’s disease progression are emerging. Claim strength: Moderate.
Male reproductive health and testosterone support: Echinacoside and Cistanche extract stimulate testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells via LH receptor upregulation and steroidogenesis pathway activation. Animal studies show improved sperm motility, count, and testosterone levels. Small human pilot studies with Cistanche extract show improved testosterone levels and sexual function scores in hypogonadal men. Claim strength: Moderate (promising mechanism; small human trials).
Hepatoprotective and antioxidant: Echinacoside inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation (anti-fibrotic) and reduces oxidative stress via Nrf2 activation. Hepatoprotective activity in CCl4 and alcohol liver injury models is documented. Claim strength: Moderate.
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Dosage & Formulator Specification
Clinical and traditional Chinese contexts: Cistanche tubulosa at 6–12 g/day dried herb equivalent. For standardised extract, Herbuno’s Echinacoside 50% extract at 100–400 mg/day delivers 50–200 mg echinacoside. Chinese clinical studies for male health applications typically use 500–1000 mg/day standardised Cistanche extract. For neuroprotective applications, dose extrapolation from animal studies suggests 50–150 mg/day echinacoside equivalent.
Echinacoside has good water solubility (phenylethanoid glycoside) and is absorbed both intact and as aglycone metabolites (caffeic acid + hydroxytyrosol + sugars) via gut microbial hydrolysis. Stable at acidic to neutral pH; standard packaging is adequate. No significant drug interactions documented at supplement doses, though aromatase modulation has been noted in some assays.
Frequently Asked Questions — Echinacoside
Is Cistanche the same as Echinacea?
No — they are botanically unrelated and share no meaningful phytochemical overlap beyond the coincidental presence of echinacoside (which is named after Echinacea but more abundant in Cistanche). Cistanche is a parasitic plant in the Orobanchaceae family (broomrape family); Echinacea is in the Asteraceae family (daisy family). Their pharmacological profiles are different: Cistanche is a tonic/adaptogen for kidney yang and male reproductive health; Echinacea is primarily immunostimulatory for respiratory infections.
Is Cistanche extract legal as a supplement in Western markets?
Cistanche tubulosa and Cistanche deserticola (the desert ginseng species) are available as dietary supplement ingredients in both the US and EU. C. deserticola is a protected species in China (wild harvest regulated); commercial supply is from cultivated C. tubulosa, which has no CITES or endangered species designation. Formulators should confirm species and cultivation status in procurement documentation.
Can echinacoside-containing Cistanche extract be positioned for testosterone support without drug claims?
Yes. Structure/function claims such as “supports healthy testosterone levels already in the normal range” or “studied to support male reproductive health and vitality” are consistent with the evidence base and within typical supplement claim frameworks in most markets. Avoid claims implying treatment of hypogonadism or hormonal disorders — these require pharmaceutical regulatory pathways.
What is verbascoside and how does it relate to echinacoside?
Verbascoside (also called acteoside) is another phenylethanoid glycoside co-present in Cistanche alongside echinacoside. Both share the hydroxytyrosol-caffeic acid glycoside scaffold. Verbascoside has stronger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in some assays; echinacoside has stronger neuroprotective and androgenic evidence. Herbuno’s Verbascoside 10% Cistanche Extract and Echinacoside 50% Cistanche Extract are complementary products from the same botanical source.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery