Kauranes as Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Agents: An Overview of In Vitro and In Vivo Effects

Therapeutic role of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors against Alzheimer's disease

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that plays a vital role in regulating inflammatory signaling and the innate immune system. Activation of NLRP3 by accumulation of Aβ leads to its oligomerization and the activation of caspase-1, resulting in the secretion of pro-cytokines such as IL-18 and IL-1β. These pro-cytokines can contribute to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. The activation of NLRP3 is associated with neuroinflammation in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the NLRP3 inflammasome is considered a potential therapeutic target for AD. Various natural and synthetic molecules have gained attention as NLRP3 inhibitors against AD. In this review, we will summarize the sources, chemical structures, synthesis, and biological activity of NLRP3 inhibitors as anti-Alzheimer's agents. Additionally, we will critically analyze the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of NLRP3 inhibitors. This detailed examination of the SAR-based investigation of NLRP3 inhibitors and their derivatives offers insights into the design and development of novel NLRP3 inhibitors as anti-Alzheimer's agents. It is expected that this review will assist researchers in developing innovative and effective NLRP3 inhibitors for the treatment of AD.

Modulating Effects of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Persicaria lanigera R. Br. Soják (Polygonaceae) against Acute Inflammation

Plant species have been used traditionally to treat numerous inflammatory disorders because of their known medicinal properties. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Persicaria lanigera using acute inflammatory models. The safety profile of the Persicaria lanigera extract was assessed using an acute toxicity model. The anti-inflammatory effect of the Persicaria lanigera leaf extract (100-600 mg·kg^-1, p.o.) was studied in carrageenan-induced paw oedema, zymosan-induced knee joint arthritis, and histamine-induced paw oedema in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5). It was observed that the Persicaria lanigera leaf extract administered prophylactically significantly inhibited paw oedema from 99.01 ± 12.59 to 59.10 ± 4.94%, 56.08 ± 3.65%, and 48.62 ± 3.27% at 100 mg·kg^-1, 300 mg·kg^-1, and 600 mg·kg^-1, while the standard drug, aspirin, showed 41.84 ± 9.25% in carrageenan-induced paw oedema, respectively. Furthermore, the extract decreased knee joint inflammation significantly from 62.43 ± 5.73% to 32.07 ± 2.98% and 24.33 ± 8.58% at 300 mg·kg^-1 and 600 mg·kg^-1 in zymosan-induced knee joint inflammation, respectively. In the histamine-induced paw oedema model, the extract significantly inhibited oedema to 61.53 ± 9.17%, 54.21 ± 9.38%, and 54.22 ± 9.37% at the same doses. Aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Persicaria lanigera is safe and attenuates inflammation in acute inflammation models.