Abstract
The inflammatory processes associated with several chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer have been the focus of mechanistic studies of the pathogenicity of these diseases and of the use of different pharmacological and natural methods to prevent them. In this study we review the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural extracts from as-yet little-studied traditional botanical species in alleviating the inflammation process associated with several chronic diseases. Additionally, the intention is to expose the known pathways of action and the potential synergistic effects of the constituent compounds of the discussed extracts. It is noted that the here-studied extracts, which include black garlic rich in S-allylcystein, polyphenols from cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), and citrus fruit extracts rich in hesperidin, have similar or greater effects than other, more extensively studied extracts such as tea and cocoa. The combined use of all of these extracts can give rise to synergetic effects with greater biological relevance at lower doses.
Highlights
Inflammation represents a biological response of the organism to a series of mechanical, chemical, or infectious stimuli
Concentrations of 5 μg/mL to 25 μg/mL of blackcurrant extract and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on supernatant were used with monocyte-derived macrophages (U937), showing higher cell viability against nicotine and lower levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion when inflammation was induced through lipopolysaccharides [48]
Animal studies were performed, obtaining anti-inflammatory results due to a depletion in the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 on Wistar rats pretreated with an intraperitoneal administration of proanthocyanidins from Ribes nigrum (RN) leaves at concentrations of 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg [49]
Summary
Inflammation represents a biological response of the organism to a series of mechanical, chemical, or infectious stimuli. Chronic inflammation is a status derived from physiopathogenic situations such as metabolic syndrome or inflammatory bowel diseases that involve prolonged exposition to a number of potential pathogenic substances. Those substances are mainly inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and are linked to cancer initiation [2]. A way to prevent inflammation which can lead to carcinogenesis or cardiovascular diseases is through the use of botanic extracts of spices and herbs which show both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties For this reason, anti-inflammatory phytochemicals could represent an exogenous aid crucial for the prevention of chronic diseases mediated by inflammatory processes.
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