Inflammation is defined as the innate immune response to potentially harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, injury, and metabolic stress, whose ultimate function is to restore optimal homeostasis. While inflammation helps remove foreign bodies, it can also damage the body's own cells. Inflammation is thought to be the cause of many chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity, and cancer. Numerous nutraceuticals have been shown to provide health and medical benefits for delaying, preventing and treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism
Nutrients needed early
Nutraceuticals can act as anti-inflammatory agents by modulating the activity of one or more markers of inflammation. Nutraceuticals may inhibit or reduce inflammatory processes through the following mechanisms:[1]
- Inhibits NF-κB activation
- Blocks the overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Downregulates cell adhesion molecule (CAM) overexpression and inhibits enzymatic activity
- Inhibits ROS-producing enzyme activity/increases the ability to scavenge ROS
Nutraceuticals for Inflammation
Vitamin E and its derivatives
Vitamin E (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherol, α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocotrienol) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, shown in rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease health benefits.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids, including alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are protective against rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, cataracts, age-related muscle degeneration and multiple sclerosis. [2]
Phenolic compounds
Polyphenols have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antiatherosclerotic, antiangiogenic, antimutagenic, and free radical scavenging properties. Flavonoids are a type of polyphenolic compounds that fall into four major groups including flavonoids (isoflavones), flavanones, catechins, and anthocyanins. [2] The table below shows common classifications and plant constituents of phenolic compounds.
Related Research Information
Anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin extract
In a recent randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving overweight healthy participants, Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract was associated with significant improvements in markers of chronic inflammation, mental health assessments, and weight and BMI compared with placebo supplementation. [3]
Potential of polyphenolic supplements for Alzheimer's disease (AD)
Astrocytes play an important role in the normal function of the mammalian nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases, and they are involved in the occurrence and development of AD. Several studies suggest that polyphenols act as novel preventive and therapeutic agents for AD by inhibiting molecular pathways associated with neuroinflammation. [4]
References- Kalyani H. Barve. (2016). "Nutraceuticals as therapeutic agents for inflammation," Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs, Academic Press, 121-147.
- Sevda Inan. (2019). "The Potential Role of Nutraceuticals in Inflammation and Oxidative Stress," Nutraceuticals - Past, Present and Future.
- Ryusei Uchio. (2021). "Curcuma longa extract improves serum inflammatory markers and mental health in healthy participants who are overweight: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial," Nutrition Journal 20, 91.
- Yousef Sawikr. (2017). "Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease: The Preventive and Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenolic Nutraceuticals," Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology 108, 33-57.
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