apigenin and Inflammatory-Bowel-Diseases

Nutrition and food items may improve or worsen symptoms in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Protein malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common, particularly deficiency of iron and vitamin D. Dietary fibres and omega-3 fatty acids are safe, but no evidence supports their use as treatment. The use of probiotics is not encouraged in patients with Crohn's disease, but it may maintain remission in ulcerative colitis. Curcumin, chamomile, and other herbal extracts are promising in the treatment of mild ulcerative colitis, but validation of products and monitoring of side effects are insufficient.

Topics: Celiac Disease; Chamomile; Curcuma; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Lactose Intolerance; Micronutrients; Nutritional Status; Vitamin D

Inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome are chronic gastrointestinal disorders which are associated with a lifelong therapeutic need. The disease results in physical, psychological, and social problems with an impact on partnership, sexuality, education, and career. Thus, the number of patients and health care professionals relying on traditional and complementary medicines and especially phytotherapy for the treatment of these chronic conditions is increasing over recent years. One traditional herbal medicinal product consisting of chamomile flower, myrrh, and coffee charcoal has been widely used in clinical practice within this indication area. Long-term experience and an increasing understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms substantiate its application and clinical effectiveness. Mainly the spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects provide a rationale for its therapeutic application. In addition, synergistic effects between the herbal components contribute to the overall effect of this medication.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chamomile; Charcoal; Coffee; Commiphora; Flowers; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Parasympatholytics; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic disorders characterized by disruption and ulceration of the colonic mucosa or of any part of the digestive tract (Crohn's disease). Antioxidant/anti-inflammatory herbal extract supplementation could represent an innovative approach to contrast IBDs. Clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of natural formulas, containing chamomile, in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. This is consistent, albeit in part, with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile. The aim of the present study was to explore the possible protective role of a chamomile extract, on human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29 cell, and rat colon specimens treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an inflammatory stimulus, a well established model of acute ulcerative colitis. In this context, the activities of different biomarkers of inflammation and lipid peroxidation such as ROS, myeloperoxidase (MPO), serotonin (5-HT), prostaglandin (PG)E2 , 8-iso-prostaglandin (8-iso-PG)F2α , NF-kB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)-6 were assessed. We found that chamomile extract was as effective as sulfasalazine (2 mg/ml) in reducing the production of MPO, 5-HT, IL-6, NF-kB, TNFα, PGE2 and 8-iso-PGF2α , after inflammatory stimulus. The observed modulatory effects support a rationale use of chamomile supplementation as a promising pharmacological tool for the prevention and management of ulcerative colitis in humans. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chamomile; Colon; Crohn Disease; HT29 Cells; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Male; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley