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Burzynski HE, Reagan LP. Exposing the latent phenotype of Gulf War Illness: examination of the mechanistic mediators of cognitive dysfunction. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1403574. [PMID: 38919622 PMCID: PMC11196646 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1403574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Though it has been over 30 years since the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW), the pathophysiology of Gulf War Illness (GWI), the complex, progressive illness affecting approximately 30% of GW Veterans, has not been fully characterized. While the symptomology of GWI is broad, many symptoms can be attributed to immune and endocrine dysfunction as these critical responses appear to be dysregulated in many GWI patients. Since such dysregulation emerges in response to immune threats or stressful situations, it is unsurprising that clinical studies suggest that GWI may present with a latent phenotype. This is most often observed in studies that include an exercise challenge during which many GWI patients experience an exacerbation of symptoms. Unfortunately, very few preclinical studies include such physiological stressors when assessing their experimental models of GWI, which creates variable results that hinder the elucidation of the mechanisms mediating GWI. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight the clinical and preclinical findings that investigate the inflammatory component of GWI and support the concept that GWI may be characterized as having a latent phenotype. We will mainly focus on studies assessing the progressive cognitive impairments associated with GWI and emphasize the need for physiological stressors in future work to create a more unified hypothesis that can identify potential therapeutics for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Burzynski
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Lawrence P. Reagan
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
- Columbia Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Columbia, SC, United States
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Weichmann F, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol ® French maritime pine bark extract in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical studies. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1389374. [PMID: 38757130 PMCID: PMC11096518 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1389374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract is a well-known and thoroughly studied patented extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. ssp. Atlantica. In 39 randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled (RDP) human clinical trials including 2,009 subjects, Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract supplementation for two weeks to six months has been shown to beneficially affect cardiovascular health, chronic venous insufficiency, cognition, joint health, skin health, eye health, women's health, respiratory health and allergies, oral health and sports performance. The mechanisms of action that can explain the respective effects on different conditions in the human body are discussed as well. As investigated in several in vitro, in vivo and in clinical studies, Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract showed antioxidative effects, anti-inflammatory abilities, beneficial effects on endothelial function and reinforcing effects on the extracellular matrix. The present review aims to give a comprehensive overview of currently available "gold standard" RDP trials of Pycnogenol®'s benefits across various health domains compared to placebo. In addition, some of the processes on which the presented effects of Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract are based will be elucidated and discussed. This broad overview of RDP studies on Pycnogenol® in different health domains can be used as a basis for further research on applications and mechanisms of this unique French maritime pine bark extract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Rohdewald
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
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3
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Spanoudaki M, Papadopoulou SK, Antasouras G, Papadopoulos KA, Psara E, Vorvolakos T, Solovos E, Chrysafi M, Psallas M, Mentzelou M, Ourda D, Giaginis C. Curcumin as a Multifunctional Spice Ingredient against Mental Disorders in Humans: Current Clinical Studies and Bioavailability Concerns. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:479. [PMID: 38672750 PMCID: PMC11050944 DOI: 10.3390/life14040479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental disorders in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress are one of the major causes of burden globally. Over the last two decades, the use of plant-based substances in the treatment of mental disorders in combination or not with medication has increasingly attracted the interest of the scientific research community. However, even if there is a plethora of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, most of them have low bioavailability, rendering them unable to insert into the bloodstream to exert their biological activities. METHODS This is a comprehensive narrative review that critically summarizes and scrutinizes the new approaches to the treatment of mental disorders using curcumin, also highlighting its bioavailability properties. The most accurate were searched using effective and relevant keywords. RESULTS This narrative review reveals substantial evidence that curcumin can exert significant effects on several mental disorders. However, despite the low cost, the extensive and confirmed potency of curcumin and its involvement in signaling pathways and the scientifically confirmed data regarding its molecular mechanisms of action against mental disorders, this naturally occurring compound presents low oral bioavailability. Pharmaceutical technology has provided solutions to increase the bioavailability of curcumin. Combination with piperine, galactomannosides, liposomal formulation or nanoformulation overcomes the bioavailability and solubility disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS Although curcumin demonstrates anti-anxiety, anti-depressive and anti-stress properties, studies on humans are limited and heterogeneous. Further research is highly recommended to determine the most functional formula, dose, duration, and possible side effects of curcumin on mental disorders in humans. Based on the current knowledge, the curcumin nanoformulation and Theracurmin, a form of colloidal submicroscopic particles, seem to be the most effective bioavailable formulations, which may be examined in future clinical human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Spanoudaki
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece (S.K.P.)
- 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.A.P.); (E.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Sousana K. Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece (S.K.P.)
| | - Georgios Antasouras
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (G.A.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Evmorfia Psara
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (G.A.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Theofanis Vorvolakos
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Evangelos Solovos
- 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.A.P.); (E.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Chrysafi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (G.A.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Michalis Psallas
- 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.A.P.); (E.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Mentzelou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (G.A.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Despoina Ourda
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (G.A.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (M.M.)
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4
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Golomb BA, Han JH, Fung A, Berg BK, Miller BJ, Hamilton G. Bioenergetic impairment in Gulf War illness assessed via 31P-MRS. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7418. [PMID: 38548808 PMCID: PMC10979028 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57725-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Time for post-exercise phosphocreatine-recovery (PCr-R), deemed a robust index of mitochondrial function in vivo, was previously reported to be elevated (signifying impaired ATP production) in veterans with Gulf War illness (GWI). Here we sought to replicate the finding and assess the impact of contravening previous eligibility requirements. The replication sample comprised white males. Cases reported ≥ moderate muscle-weakness to match the organ assessed to an organ affected; controls lacked recent headache or multiple symptoms. The expansion sample added cases without muscle-weakness, controls with recent headache, females, nonwhites. PCr-R, following pedal-depression-exercise, was compared in veterans with GWI versus controls (sample N = 38). In the replication sample, PCr-R results closely matched the prior report: PCr-R veterans with GWI mean(SD) = 47.7(16.5); control mean(SD) = 30.3(9.2), p = 0.017. (Prior-study PCr-R veterans with GWI mean(SD) = 46.1(17.9), control mean(SD) = 29.0(8.7), p = 0.023. Combined replication + prior samples: p = 0.001.) No case-control difference was observed in the expansion sample. In cases, PCr-R related to muscle-weakness: PCr-R = 29.9(7.1), 38.2(8.9), 47.8(15.2) for muscle-weakness rated none/low, intermediate, and high respectively (p for trend = 0.02), validating desirability of matching tissue assessed to tissue affected. In controls, headache/multiple symptoms, sex, and ethnicity each mattered (affecting PCr-R significantly). This study affirms mitochondrial/bioenergetic impairment in veterans with GWI. The importance of careful case/control selection is underscored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Alexandra Golomb
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA.
| | - Jun Hee Han
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
| | - Alexander Fung
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
- Clement Park Dental Care, Littleton, CO, 80123, USA
| | - Brinton Keith Berg
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
| | - Bruce J Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
| | - Gavin Hamilton
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Golomb BA, Sanchez Baez R, Schilling JM, Dhanani M, Fannon MJ, Berg BK, Miller BJ, Taub PR, Patel HH. Mitochondrial impairment but not peripheral inflammation predicts greater Gulf War illness severity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10739. [PMID: 37438460 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35896-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Gulf War illness (GWI) is an important exemplar of environmentally-triggered chronic multisymptom illness, and a potential model for accelerated aging. Inflammation is the main hypothesized mechanism for GWI, with mitochondrial impairment also proposed. No study has directly assessed mitochondrial respiratory chain function (MRCF) on muscle biopsy in veterans with GWI (VGWI). We recruited 42 participants, half VGWI, with biopsy material successfully secured in 36. Impaired MRCF indexed by complex I and II oxidative phosphorylation with glucose as a fuel source (CI&CIIOXPHOS) related significantly or borderline significantly in the predicted direction to 17 of 20 symptoms in the combined sample. Lower CI&CIIOXPHOS significantly predicted GWI severity in the combined sample and in VGWI separately, with or without adjustment for hsCRP. Higher-hsCRP (peripheral inflammation) related strongly to lower-MRCF (particularly fatty acid oxidation (FAO) indices) in VGWI, but not in controls. Despite this, whereas greater MRCF-impairment predicted greater GWI symptoms and severity, greater inflammation did not. Surprisingly, adjusted for MRCF, higher hsCRP significantly predicted lesser symptom severity in VGWI selectively. Findings comport with a hypothesis in which the increased inflammation observed in GWI is driven by FAO-defect-induced mitochondrial apoptosis. In conclusion, impaired mitochondrial function-but not peripheral inflammation-predicts greater GWI symptoms and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice A Golomb
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA.
| | - Roel Sanchez Baez
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
- San Ysidro Health Center, San Diego, CA, 92114, USA
| | - Jan M Schilling
- VA San Diego Healthcare System and Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Mehul Dhanani
- VA San Diego Healthcare System and Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Avidity Biosciences, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - McKenzie J Fannon
- VA San Diego Healthcare System and Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Brinton K Berg
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
| | - Bruce J Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0995, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0995, USA
| | - Pam R Taub
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Hemal H Patel
- VA San Diego Healthcare System and Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
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Kunnumakkara AB, Hegde M, Parama D, Girisa S, Kumar A, Daimary UD, Garodia P, Yenisetti SC, Oommen OV, Aggarwal BB. Role of Turmeric and Curcumin in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:447-518. [PMID: 37082752 PMCID: PMC10111629 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for thousands of years for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. Curcumin is just one of >200 ingredients in turmeric. Almost 7000 scientific papers on turmeric and almost 20,000 on curcumin have been published in PubMed. Scientific reports based on cell culture or animal studies are often not reproducible in humans. Therefore, human clinical trials are the best indicators for the prevention and treatment of a disease using a given agent/drug. Herein, we conducted an extensive literature survey on PubMed and Scopus following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The keywords "turmeric and clinical trials" and "curcumin and clinical trials" were considered for data mining. A total of 148 references were found to be relevant for the key term "turmeric and clinical trials", of which 70 were common in both PubMed and Scopus, 44 were unique to PubMed, and 34 were unique to Scopus. Similarly, for the search term "curcumin and clinical trials", 440 references were found to be relevant, of which 70 were unique to PubMed, 110 were unique to Scopus, and 260 were common to both databases. These studies show that the golden spice has enormous health and medicinal benefits for humans. This Review will extract and summarize the lessons learned about turmeric and curcumin in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases based on clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India
| | - Mangala Hegde
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India
| | - Dey Parama
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India
| | - Sosmitha Girisa
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India
| | - Aviral Kumar
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India
| | - Uzini Devi Daimary
- Department
of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam-781039, India
| | - Prachi Garodia
- Integrative
Research Center, Miami, Florida 33125, United States
| | - Sarat Chandra Yenisetti
- Department
of Zoology, Drosophila Neurobiology Laboratory, Nagaland University (Central), Lumami, Nagaland-798627, India
| | - Oommen V. Oommen
- Department
of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695581, India
| | - Bharat B. Aggarwal
- Inflammation
Research Center, San Diego, California 92109, United States
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Hegde M, Girisa S, BharathwajChetty B, Vishwa R, Kunnumakkara AB. Curcumin Formulations for Better Bioavailability: What We Learned from Clinical Trials Thus Far? ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:10713-10746. [PMID: 37008131 PMCID: PMC10061533 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin has been credited with a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties for the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hemoglobinopathies, hypertension, infectious diseases, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, neurological diseases, obesity, and skin diseases. However, due to its weak solubility and bioavailability, it has limited potential as an oral medication. Numerous factors including low water solubility, poor intestinal permeability, instability at alkaline pH, and fast metabolism contribute to curcumin's limited oral bioavailability. In order to improve its oral bioavailability, different formulation techniques such as coadministration with piperine, incorporation into micelles, micro/nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, liposomes, solid dispersions, spray drying, and noncovalent complex formation with galactomannosides have been investigated with in vitro cell culture models, in vivo animal models, and humans. In the current study, we extensively reviewed clinical trials on various generations of curcumin formulations and their safety and efficacy in the treatment of many diseases. We also summarized the dose, duration, and mechanism of action of these formulations. We have also critically reviewed the advantages and limitations of each of these formulations compared to various placebo and/or available standard care therapies for these ailments. The highlighted integrative concept embodied in the development of next-generation formulations helps to minimize bioavailability and safety issues with least or no adverse side effects and the provisional new dimensions presented in this direction may add value in the prevention and cure of complex chronic diseases.
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Carpenter JM, Brown KA, Veltmaat L, Ludwig HD, Clay KB, Norberg T, Harn DA, Wagner JJ, Filipov NM. Evaluation of delayed LNFPIII treatment initiation protocol on improving long-term behavioral and neuroinflammatory pathology in a mouse model of Gulf War Illness. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 26:100553. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Sethi V, Garg M, Herve M, Mobasheri A. Potential complementary and/or synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acids for management of osteoarthritis. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2022; 14:1759720X221124545. [PMID: 36171802 PMCID: PMC9511324 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x221124545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For several thousand years (~4000) Boswellia serrata and Curcuma longa have been used in Aryuvedic medicine for treatment of various illnesses, including asthma, peptic ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which are mediated through pathways associated with inflammation and pain. Although the in vivo pharmacology of both these natural ingredients is difficult to study because of poor bioavailability, in vitro data suggest that both influence gene expression mediated through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Therefore, the activity of pathways associated with inflammation (including NF-κB and lipoxygenase- and cyclooxygenase-mediated reduction in leukotrienes/prostaglandins) and those involved in matrix degradation and apoptosis are reduced, resulting in a reduction in pain. Additive activity of boswellic acids and curcumin was observed in preclinical models and synergism was suggested in clinical trials for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Overall, studies of these natural ingredients, alone or in combination, revealed that these extracts relieved pain from OA and other inflammatory conditions. This may present an opportunity to improve patient care by offering alternatives for patients and physicians, and potentially reducing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or other pharmacologic agent use. Additional research is needed on the effects of curcumin on the microbiome and the influence of intestinal metabolism on the activity of curcuminoids to further enhance formulations to ensure sufficient anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. This narrative review includes evidence from in vitro and preclinical studies, and clinical trials that have evaluated the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of curcumin and boswellic acids individually and in combination for the management of OA pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhu Sethi
- Pain Relief, Medical Affairs, Consumer Healthcare R&D, Haleon, 23, Rochester Park, GSK Asia House, 139234 Singapore
| | - Manohar Garg
- Nutraceuticals Research Program, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Maxime Herve
- was an employee of Consumer Healthcare R&D, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Singapore
| | - Ali Mobasheri
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Raju RP, Terry AV. Dysregulation of cellular energetics in Gulf War Illness. Toxicology 2021; 461:152894. [PMID: 34389359 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is estimated to have affected about one third of the Veterans who participated in the first Persian Gulf War. The symptoms of GWI include chronic neurologic impairments, chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as fibromyalgia and immune system disorders, collectively referred to as chronic multi-symptom illness. Thirty years after the war, we still do not have an effective treatment for GWI. It is necessary to understand the molecular basis of the symptoms of GWI in order to develop appropriate therapeutic strategies. Cellular energetics are critical to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, a process that is highly dependent on intact mitochondrial function and there is significant evidence from both human studies and animal models that mitochondrial impairments may lead to GWI symptoms. The available clinical and pre-clinical data suggest that agents that improve mitochondrial function have the potential to restore cellular energetics and treat GWI. To date, the experiments conducted in animal models of GWI have mainly focused on neurobehavioral aspects of the illness. Additional studies to address the fundamental biological processes that trigger the dysregulation of cellular energetics in GWI are warranted to better understand the underlying pathology and to develop new treatment methods. This review highlights studies related to mitochondrial dysfunction observed in both GW veterans and in animal models of GWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavan Pillai Raju
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, United States.
| | - Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, United States
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