Academic literature on the topic 'Natural anti-inflammatory substances'

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac sodium are widely known drugs for the treatment of inflammatory reactions. Prolonged use of drugs inevitably leads to the development of adverse reactions and reduced immunity of patients. Since the reduction of the "drug load" is an urgent task in this situation, an alternative direction to solve it is the use of natural therapeutic factors, the rehabilitation capabilities of which in these conditions are very appropriate and effective. There is a whole arsenal of medicinal plants in the world, they contain a complex of biologically active substances and are not inferior in therapeutic properties to synthetic agents. Among such medicinal plants is Zingiber officinale, which for the past 10 years is actively grown in Ukraine in the city of Kherson. The study shows the relevance of making a mild drug based on a thick extract of the rhizome of Zingiber officinale. It is proved that the extract belongs to low-toxic compounds, which allows its use in the composition of drugs for transdermal administration. An ointment was made on the basis of a thick ginger extract with a content of biologically active substances of 0.025%. The content was standardized according to the content of the sum of polyphenolic compounds. Inflammation was induced by subplantar injection to the plantar fasciitis (aponeurosis) of the hind limb of rats using 30 µL AITC solution (100 µg/limb) in 1,2-propyleneglycol. The dynamics of changes of inflammatory process was evaluated before addition of the inflammation inducer and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 hours of its injection for measuring the volume and the thickness of affected limb. Ointment based on ginger extract has a high level of anti-inflammatory properties, which is shown on the basis of the positive dynamics of changes in the morphological parameters of the affected limbs of animals. Prophylactic application of the phytopreparation two days before the start of the experiment helped to block the development of inflammation in comparison with the control group and the reference drug – ibuprofen ointment. The soft dosage form created and studied by us based on the thick extract of Zingiber officinale is an effective anti-inflammatory agent that can not only treat inflammation, but also block its development under previous prophylactic applications.

Terpenes are a class of chemical compounds with carbon and hydrogen atoms in their structure. They can be classified into several classes according to the quantity of isoprene units present in its structure. Terpenes can have their structure modified by the addition of various chemical radicals. When these molecules are modified by the addition of atoms other than carbon and hydrogen, they become terpenoids. Terpenes and terpenoids come from the secondary metabolism of several plants. They can be found in the leaves, fruits, stem, flowers, and roots. The concentration of terpenes and terpenoids in these organs can vary according to several factors such as the season, collection method, and time of the day. Several biological activities and physiological actions are attributed to terpenes and terpenoids. Studies in the literature demonstrate that these molecules have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antispasmodic, and antidiabetogenic activities. Additionally, repellent and gastroprotective activity is reported. Among the most prominent activities of monoterpenes and monoterpenoids are those on the cardiovascular system. Reports on literature reveal the potential effect of monoterpenes and monoterpenoids on systemic blood pressure. Studies show that these substances have a hypotensive and bradycardic effect. In addition, the inotropic activity, both positive and negative, of these compounds has been reported. Studies also have shown that some monoterpenes and monoterpenoids also have a vasorelaxing activity on several vascular beds. These effects are attributed, in many cases to the blocking of ion channels, such as voltage-gated calcium channels. It can also be observed that monoterpenes and monoterpenoids can have their effects modulated by the action of the vascular endothelium. In addition, it has been shown that the molecular structure and the presence of chemical groups influence the potency and efficacy of these compounds on vascular beds. Here, the effect of several monoterpenes and monoterpenoids on systemic blood pressure and vascular smooth muscle will be reported.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous crop found in tropical regions and belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. It was used in the form of a spice, flavoring substance, coloring agent, and as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of several human ailments for centuries. Turmeric, along with its extracts, has a very broad and diverse field of application. It is an exclusive and versatile naturally occurring plant product having properties of not only a spice but also food colorant, medicine or drug, and cosmetics. In ethnic delicacies, turmeric is a commonly used flavoring ingredient. It is also a popularly used natural food color. It exhibits several biological activities such as having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. It is well known as a skincare product and a healthy food ingredient. It is found to have the capability to prevent or retard a wide range of ailments.

The panic and confusion surrounding the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus requires a systematic study of the disease (COVID-19) and the arsenal of weapons available to the biochemist in the fight against infection. When developing a particularly bad flu in January 2020 while in India after the visit of a friend, who had just travelled back from Wuhan (China), it gave me an early opportunity to study the tricky diagnosis of this dreaded disease first-hand. The somewhat unusual symptoms and a lingering weakness and malaise for months suggested that it was no ordinary influenza virus. Since that time, a baffling number of disparate symptoms have been ascribed to COVID-19 infection including respiratory, gastrointestinal, circulatory, urinary tract and nerve dysfunction that have even resulted in multi-organ failure in some cases. Naturally, an array of risk factors have also been identified ranging from age, sex, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension to cigarette smoking that can increase mortality rate dramatically. In the intervening period, much research has appeared on biochemical compounds that may help to prevent this infection and, possibly, aid in patient recovery. Among these bioactive molecules are certain anti-inflammatory substances such as vitamin D, zinc, chloroquine, soy isoflavones like genistein, and glycyrrhizic acid, some of which may be successful in attacking different biochemical processes of the new coronavirus and disarming its deadly artillery against the human host. In a few instances, the viral processes that are inhibited by these chemicals are essential for the replication and reproduction of this RNA virus thereby striking a lethal blow to its machinery. Thus, taken together, these compounds may form a worthy arsenal against a formidable foe in the absence of an effective vaccine, and, especially, if relapse or re-infection proves to be a common occurrence in recovered COVID-19 patients.