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Khedkar S, Khan MA. An in vitro study elucidating the synergistic effects of aqueous cinnamon extract and an anti-TNF-α biotherapeutic: implications for a complementary and alternative therapy for non-responders. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:131. [PMID: 38521924 PMCID: PMC10960381 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04438-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its abnormal production is associated with several immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Biological anti-TNF-α therapy includes treatment with monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab which have proven successful and are well-tolerated in most patients. Unfortunately, some patients may not respond to therapy (primary non-responders) or may lose sensitivity to the biological agent over time (early and late secondary non-responders). Natural products can reduce inflammation and act synergistically with small molecules or biologics, although evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could play a role in infliximab non-responders. Reportedly, cinnamon can help manage chronic inflammatory conditions owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS We studied the synergistic effects of cinnamon and infliximab in vitro using a two-step approach. First, we investigated whether cinnamon and infliximab act synergistically. Second, we selected conditions that supported statistically significant synergy with infliximab and studied the mRNA expression of several genes involved in non-response to infliximab. We used aqueous cinnamon extract (aCE) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cinnamomum loureiroi and bioactive trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and eugenol to study the synergy between infliximab and aCE/bioactive compounds using bioassays in fibroblast (L929) and monocytic (U937) cell lines, followed by qPCR for molecular-level insights. TCA, C. cassia aCE, and C. zeylanicum aCE demonstrated a dose-dependent synergistic effect with infliximab. Moreover, we saw differential gene expression for adhesion molecules, apoptotic factors, signaling molecules, and matrix remodelers in presence and absence of aCE/bioactives. RESULTS CAM supplementation was most effective with C. cassia aCE, where a synergistic effect was observed for all the tested genes specifically for MMP-1, BcL-xL, Bax and JAK2, followed by TCA, which affected most of the tested genes except TLR-2, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and BAX, and C. zeylanicum aCE, which did not affect ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and STAT3. CONCLUSION In conclusion, cinnamon acted synergistically with infliximab to mitigate inflammation when used as an extract. Purified bioactive TCA also showed synergistic activity. Thus, aCE, or cinnamon bioactive may be used as a CAM to improve patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubrata Khedkar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Minhaj Ahmad Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, 144411, Punjab, India.
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Deligiannidou GE, Kyrgou C, Nena E, Manolopoulos VG, Bezirtzoglou E, Kontogiorgis CA, Constantinidis TC. Use of Edible, Medicinal, and Aromatic Plants in Various Health Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation among Inhabitants in the Area of Thrace, North-Eastern Greece. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12576. [PMID: 36231876 PMCID: PMC9566107 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medicinal and aromatical plants (MAPs) have been historically used as traditional remedies in many cultures in Europe and globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of MAPs in various health disorders in association to dietary habits and other lifestyle factors among residents in Thrace, NE Greece. METHODS Data were collected through anonymous and voluntary responses to a structured online questionnaire, via convenience (snowball) sampling. RESULTS The 561 responders (age: 39.7 ± 11.6 y) were mostly female (59.7%), with higher education (69.8%), working as state or private employees (55.4%), and having low/medium income (77.1%). Overall, more than 70% were using MAPs in various symptoms and common health disorders, such as chamomile against common cold and the flu. More than 20 different MAPs were being used in smaller frequencies against various conditions. Key contributing factors to the consumption of MAPs were sex (female over male), employment (employed vs. unemployed), education (higher education vs. lower) and higher Body Mass Index (overweight and obese vs. normal), while consumption of fruit, fish, and vegetables was mainly associated with the use of MAPs as common items of diet and in health disorders. CONCLUSIONS The use of MAPs as part of the diet and as traditional remedy is present in the examined population, while particular choices seem to be affected by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Kyrgou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Evangelia Nena
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Laboratory of Social Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Vangelis G. Manolopoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Democritus University of Thrace-School of Medicine, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Eugenia Bezirtzoglou
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Christos A. Kontogiorgis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Theodoros C. Constantinidis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Lippert A, Renner B. Herb-Drug Interaction in Inflammatory Diseases: Review of Phytomedicine and Herbal Supplements. J Clin Med 2022; 11:1567. [PMID: 35329893 PMCID: PMC8951360 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people worldwide use plant preparations for medicinal purposes. Even in industrialized regions, such as Europe, where conventional therapies are accessible for the majority of patients, there is a growing interest in and usage of phytomedicine. Plant preparations are not only used as alternative treatment, but also combined with conventional drugs. These combinations deserve careful contemplation, as the complex mixtures of bioactive substances in plants show a potential for interactions. Induction of CYP enzymes and pGP by St John's wort may be the most famous example, but there is much more to consider. In this review, we shed light on what is known about the interactions between botanicals and drugs, in order to make practitioners aware of potential drug-related problems. The main focus of the article is the treatment of inflammatory diseases, accompanied by plant preparations used in Europe. Several of the drugs we discuss here, as basal medication in chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., methotrexate, janus kinase inhibitors), are also used as oral tumor therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie Lippert
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany;
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Fowler-Woods A, Smolik I, Anaparti V, O’Neil L, El-Gabalawy H. Can Studying Genetically Predisposed Individuals Inform Prevention Strategies for RA? Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:1301. [PMID: 34682981 PMCID: PMC8544392 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9101301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent autoimmune disorder in which complex genetic predisposition interacts with multiple environmental factors to precipitate chronic and progressive immune-mediated joint inflammation. Currently, in most affected individuals, ongoing suppression of the inflammation is required to prevent irreversible damage and functional loss. The delineation of a protracted preclinical period in which autoimmunity is initially established and then evolves to become pathogenic provides unprecedented opportunities for interventions that have the potential to prevent the onset of this lifelong disease. Clinical trials aimed at assessing the impact of specific prevention strategies require the identification of individuals who are at high risk of future RA development. Currently, these risk factors include a strong family history of RA, and the detection of circulating RA-associated autoantibodies, particularly anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). Yet, even in such individuals, there remains considerable uncertainty about the likelihood and the timeframe for future disease development. Thus, individuals who are approached to participate in such clinical trials are left weighing the risks and benefits of the prevention measures, while having large gaps in our current understanding. To address this challenge, we have undertaken longitudinal studies of the family members of Indigenous North American RA patients, this population being known to have a high prevalence of RA, early age of onset, and familial clustering of cases. Our studies have indicated that the concepts of "risk" and "prevention" need to be communicated in a culturally relevant manner, and proposed prevention interventions need to have an appropriate balance of effectiveness, safety, convenience, and cultural acceptability. We have focused our proposed prevention studies on immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements that appear to strike such a complex balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fowler-Woods
- Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3W 0W3, Canada;
| | - Irene Smolik
- Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M4, Canada;
| | - Vidyanand Anaparti
- Manitoba Center for Proteomics and Systems Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada; (V.A.); (L.O.)
| | - Liam O’Neil
- Manitoba Center for Proteomics and Systems Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada; (V.A.); (L.O.)
| | - Hani El-Gabalawy
- Manitoba Center for Proteomics and Systems Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada; (V.A.); (L.O.)
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Effect of sweet fennel seed extract capsule on knee pain in women with knee osteoarthritis. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2020; 40:101219. [PMID: 32835919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis. The disease not only has a high disease burden but also reduces the quality of life of patients. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (commonly known as Fennel) seed extract on knee pain in women patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind trial, a total of 66 patients were assigned randomly via the blocking method in two groups, fennel and placebo. All patients received four capsules daily of either powdered fennel extract (each capsule contained 200 mg dried fennel extract from 7 g of fennel seeds) or placebo twice a day for two weeks. The patients completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity measurement before and after the study completion. Data were then analyzed via intention to treat method using the SPSS statistical software package. RESULTS Two weeks after the trial, a significant decrease was noted between the two groups in terms of pain, disability, total WOMAC score, and VAS variables. After comparing the pre- and post-intervention, the variables mentioned above revealed a significant decline in both groups. The stiffness variable indicated a significant reduction in the fennel group (between baseline and study completion) after two weeks, but this decline was not significant in the placebo group, and was not significant either between the two groups. At the end of the trial, the percentage change was higher in the fennel group than in the placebo group. Also, the effect size was greater in the fennel group especially in pain variable based on WOMAC and VAS than in the placebo group. CONCLUSION The results indicated that fennel may be an appropriate alternative for complementary treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This study is the first clinical trial using oral fennel on knee pain in these patients, and the outcomes should be confirmed through additional studies.
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Irrera N, D'Ascola A, Pallio G, Bitto A, Mazzon E, Mannino F, Squadrito V, Arcoraci V, Minutoli L, Campo GM, Avenoso A, Bongiorno EB, Vaccaro M, Squadrito F, Altavilla D. β-Caryophyllene Mitigates Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA) in Mice Through a Cross-Talk between CB2 and PPAR-γ Receptors. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9080326. [PMID: 31370242 PMCID: PMC6723248 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist that tempers inflammation. An interaction between the CB2 receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has been suggested and PPAR-γ activation exerts anti-arthritic effects. The aim of this study was to characterize the therapeutic activity of BCP and to investigate PPAR-γ involvement in a collagen antibody induced arthritis (CAIA) experimental model. CAIA was induced through intraperitoneal injection of a monoclonal antibody cocktail and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 50 μg/100 μL/ip). CAIA animals were then randomized to orally receive either BCP (10 mg/kg/100 μL) or its vehicle (100 μL of corn oil). BCP significantly hampered the severity of the disease, reduced relevant pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13. BCP also decreased joint expression of matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 9. Arthritic joints showed increased COX2 and NF-ĸB mRNA expression and reduced expression of the PPARγ coactivator-1 alpha, PGC-1α, and PPAR-γ. These conditions were reverted following BCP treatment. Finally, BCP reduced NF-ĸB activation and increased PGC-1α and PPAR-γ expression in human articular chondrocytes stimulated with LPS. These effects were reverted by AM630, a CB2 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that BCP ameliorates arthritis through a cross-talk between CB2 and PPAR-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela D'Ascola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pallio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Mannino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Violetta Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arcoraci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Letteria Minutoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maurizio Campo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Avenoso
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Mario Vaccaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy.
| | - Domenica Altavilla
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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