Anti-inflammatory effects implication

The eicosanoids have been implicated as mediators of tissue inflammation since aspirin s anti-inflammatory effect was shown to be the result of its inactivation of cyclooxygenase. How eicosanoids cause tissue inflammation is the focus of much current research. 

The combination of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects is also highly relevant for inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn s disease. Dysregulation of immune mechanisms are strongly implicated in the disease process with excess production of inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF, by lymphocytes and... 

Glucocorticoids and their implication in anti-inflammatory effects... 

Suzuki, Y, Ichiyama, T., Ohsaki, A., et al. 2009. Anti-inflammatory effect of lalpha,25-dihy-droxyvitamin D(3) in human coronary arterial endothelial cells Implication for the treatment of Kawasaki disease. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 113 134—8. 

Indometacin, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase implicated in inflammatory reactions. Indometacin is more effective as an anti-inflammatory agent than ibuprofen and tends to have a higher side-effect profile, including headache, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal disturbances. Rectal administration reduces but does not prevent gastrointestinal tract disturbances. 

The use of mouse models to look at the effects of individual genes on incubation time have proved very useful in confirming the role of proteins that have been implicated in prion disease from a range of different studies. Prion diseases are characterised by the absence of a classical inflammatory response however, atypical inflammation characterised by microglial activation is central and precedes neuronal death. Consequently, a number of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines have been investigated. 

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the NSAIDs is principally related to any or all of the following three factors the inhibition of different enzymes implicated in the arachidonic acid metabolism, the modification of the effects of relevant mediators, and the inhibition of the tissue damage produced by free radicals. It is thought that the phenomenon of overexpression of the enzymes implicated in inflammation may be avoided by the effect of apoptotic mechanisms on inflammatory cells. The role of eicosanoids and NSAIDs, with either a positive or negative... 

Recent research seems to single out phenolics as being those natural products with the most potential for use as anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic agents. Many of these compounds are proven antioxidants that have been found to inhibit the enzymes implicated in the inflammatory process as well. Some of the mechanisms in question may be related to their pro-apoptotic effects and as such may provide ways to potentiate the compound s actual pharmacological effects. Alkaloids and terpenoids may also be of interest, but the research on them to date has focused more on their use as anticancer agents. 

---