Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Medicines ( We introduce some herbs which their anti-inflammatory effects have been evaluated in clinical and experimental studies)

Curcuma longa

Curcuma longa (common name is Turmeric in English, زردچوبه in Persian, cúrcuma in Spanish,  in Hindi, and عقدة  الصفراء in Arabic) is an Indian indigenous plant . The most important secondary metabolite of C. longa is curcumin, which is responsible for anti-inflammatory effect of this plant .

Many clinical trials have been done for proving the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin. Their results suggest that curcumin can be effective in improving inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reducing clinical manifestation of RA, such as joint swelling and morning stiffness in comparison with phenylbutazone which is used as a positive control. Also, curcumin was tested in patients with anterior uveitis; after 2 weeks, exhaustive remission occurred [. The effectiveness of curcumin in patients with dyspepsia and/or gastric ulcer was proved by another clinical trial. In this study, subjects experienced remission after 12 weeks (maximum) . Curcumin is beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment  and also works as a reducing agent to delayed graft rejection (DGR) after kidney transplant surgery. Curcumin likewise has a beneficial effect in inhibition of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and reduction in sedimentation rate in patients who suffered from IBD. It is also proven to be beneficial in maintaining amelioration of ulcerative colitis  and psoriasis (by the selective prohibition of phosphorylase kinase) .

Zingiber officinale

Zingiber officinale (common name is ginger in English, زنجبیل in Persian,  in Hindi, and الزنجبيل in Arabic) is a native plant from south-east Asia .

Oral administration of Z. officinale extract has shown different and inconsistent effects, depending on the quantity of consumption. Although administration of squeezed ginger extract to mice one time or twice has elevated the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in peritoneal cells, long-term consumption of the extract has increased the serum corticosterone level and has reduced proinflammatory markers . Z. officinale was also tested in type 2 diabetic patients with low-grade inflammation; after 2 months of treatment, serum level of TNF-α and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were decreased definitely . In patients with osteoarthritis, ginger had not only efficacy in pain improvement identical to Diclofenac 100 mg but also no side effects . Ginger extract has been compared to Ibuprofen and Indomethacin in OA patients; the results have exerted improving function of Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, and ginger extract equally in pain score . Ginger powder has had ameliorative effect in musculoskeletal and rheumatism patients through inhibiting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathway in synovial fluid .

Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosmarinus officinalis (common name is Rosemary in English, رزماری in Persian, Romero in Spanish,  in Hindi, and روزماري in Arabic) is native in the Mediterranean area .

In an open-label trial, the effects of rosemary extract have been assessed in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and fibromyalgia during 4 weeks; hs-CRP (an index for inflammation presence) was decreased noticeably in patients who had demonstrated augmentation in this index; by the way, reduction in inflammation related to pain score was observed during the treatment but remission has not occurred in fibromyalgia scores. There is evidence that confirms anti-inflammatory potential of R. officinalis in molecular scope; according to this, rosmarinic acid could disturb complement system activation easily by inhibiting C3b attachment; the dose required for making this effect is very low (34 µM) . Furthermore, rosemary’s extract has shown gastroprotective action against gastric ulcer, even better than Omeprazole; this advantage is because of inhibition activity of rosemary in neutrophils infiltration and reduction in proinflammatory mediators: TNF-α and IL-1 . Nevertheless, in another preclinical study on rats, high dose of rosemary extract (500 mg/kg) has reduced testosterone and spermatogenesis that led to infertility . This plant has had topical anti-inflammatory in wound healing in mice . Carnosic acid in R. officinalis has interacted with CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 substrate and likewise has had toxicity in human hepatocyte with EC₅₀ value identical to Tamoxifen .

Borago officinalis

Borago officinalis (common name is Borage in English, گل  گاوزبان in Persian, Borraja in Spanish, and لسان  الثور-حمحم in Arabic) is a member of Boraginaceae family and is native in European area and north of Africa.

This plant is a rich source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), which contains 25% of GLA, by elevating prostaglandin-E (PGE) level that leads to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) augmentation; GLA could count as a strong suppressor of TNF-α. The mechanism mentioned above can clarify the anti-inflammatory effect of borage oil in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Regarding this pathway, borage has contraindication during pregnancy because of the miscarriage risk . Antirheumatoid arthritis’s potential of borage seed oil was assessed in 2 RCT as follows: in the first study, 1.4 g/day borage seed oil has been compared with placebo in RA patients; 36.8% amelioration occurred in the treatment group at the end of 6-month therapy. In the second study, 2.8 g/day of borage seed oil was taken by patients during 6 months; at the end of treatment, the amelioration percent of RA manifestation was noticeable: 64% in the treatment group compared with 21% in the control group . Likewise, the anti-inflammatory effect of borage oil was tested in patients with atopic dermatitis. 12 clinical trials were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of this herb in ameliorating in atopic dermatitis. 5 of those have proved the anti-inflammatory effect and 2 of those have recorded improving in some patients, although in the rest 5 trials there has not been any observation for remission.

 Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose)

Oenothera biennis (common name is evening primrose in English, گل  مغربی  in Persian, Onagri in Spanish,  in Hindi, and زهرة  الربيع  المسائية in Arabic) is a member of Onagraceae family which is native in Central America .

GLA, linear aliphatic alcohols (e.g., Tetracosanol), and phenolic compound (ferulic acid) are the active components of evening primrose oil which have had protective roles against proinflammatory markers. This oil has sterols such as β-Sitosterol and Campesterol that have had modulator effect on nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, IL-1β, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) leading to suppressing COX-2 gene expression; because of these reasons, the primrose oil has a greater anti-inflammatory effect than borage oil. The effectiveness of evening primrose oil with hemp seed oil has been clinically assessed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Patients with MS (a chronic inflammatory disorder) have randomly taken hemp seed/evening primrose oil and placebo. Significant reduction in IFN-γ and IL-17 has occurred in the treatment group. The relapse rate of the disease has been also alleviated in the treatment group; this study has shown the immunomodulatory impression of these oils and their components . In an RCT on RA, researchers have recorded subjective improvement and reduction in using NSAIDs without any improvement in clinical measurements . Likewise, patients have demonstrated remission in morning stiffness with no clinical changes in articular index or pain . And no significant amelioration in target therapy group was the main outcome of a clinical trial on 18 patients with RA after 12 weeks .

Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw)

H. procumbens (common name is Devil’s claw in English, پنجه  شیطان in Persian, Garra del Diablo in Spanish, and مخلب  الشيطان  in Arabic) is a member of Pedaliaceae family . Among its abundant metabolites, Harpagoside has been substantiated as an anti-inflammatory component . Root’s extract of Devil’s claw has been claimed to possess inhibition potential of NO, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), and PGE₂, as well as prevention of arachidonic acid metabolism and eicosanoid biosynthesis, leading to COX-2 inhibition and reducing inflammation . In another preclinical study, devil’s claw has shown no efficacy in improving carrageenan-induced edema in the hind foot of the rat. Over an RCT, the effectiveness of Devil’s claw in osteoarthritis remission has been assessed. At the end of treatment period, anti-inflammatory effects of H. procumbens have been observed . In contrast, in a pilot study which has been carried out on patients who have suffered from arthritic disease (RA and psoriatic arthropathy), researchers have not observed any remission or subjective and objective improvement with 410 mg TDS of H. procumbens’s liquid extract after 12 weeks . Gastrointestinal upset is the main side effect of this plant which leads to contraindication in patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers, gallstone, and diabetes .

Boswellia serrata

Boswellia serrata (common name is Indian Olibanum in English, کندر  in Persian,  in Hindi, and الـلُّبَّـان  in Arabic) is an oleo gum resin of Boswellia tree, which is native in India .

Efficacy of Boswellia serrata extract in patients with osteoarthritis has been substantiated; dramatic alleviation in the frequency of joint swelling and pain and augmentation in joint flexibility and walking distance have been observed at the end of treatment period . Likewise, a significant reduction in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), morning stiffness, and NSAID administration requirement during therapy has occurred in rheumatoid arthritis patients within another clinical trial . In one pilot study which has been carried out on patients with chronic polyarthritis, no significant remission has been observed in patient’s manifestations after 12 weeks of therapy with extract of B. serrata; just minor attenuation in NSAIDs requirement has been recorded . Collagenous colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and B. serrata has been clinically effective in the process of ameliorating this disease in target therapy group compared to the placebo group . The combination of B. serrata with C. longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra has been effective on improvement of asthmatic patient’s symptoms; also, in this study, treatment group has demonstrated significant diminishing in plasma level of leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄), NO, and malondialdehyde after 4 weeks . Modulating in inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and PGE2) by B. serrata extract has been proved in in vivo and in vitro studies. Boswellic acid is the main component of this gum which can inhibit C3 convertase and suppressed classic pathway of complement system . Likewise, it has had topical anti-inflammatory impress as well as systemic effects .

Rosa canina

Rosa canina (common name is Dog rose in English, نسترن  وحشی in Persian, escaramujo-tapaculo in Spanish,  in Hindi, and ورد  الکلب-ورد  السياج- النسرين in Arabic) is a member of Rosaceae family.

The effectiveness of rosehip has been assessed in OA and RA patients. The outcomes of these studies were as follows: the patients, who have suffered from OA, have experienced alleviation in pain, rescue medication consumption, and stiffness and a significant reduction in CRP which have been observed after treatment with this plant . It should be noted that anti-inflammatory effect of rosehip refers to the seed, but not its shell. The latter claim has been substantiated via two clinical studies which have been done on OA patients . Likewise, rosehip powder has reduced ESR and improved quality of life in RA patients; thus, it might be used as a supplement besides the standard treatment of RA . In contrast, 10 g of rosehip powder per day, during 1 month, has no anti-inflammatory effect on patients with RA . The ethanol extract of rosehip was fractioned by some solvents with different polarity; ethyl acetate and butanol fraction have had anti-inflammatory effects in delayed phase of inflammation process through inhibition of PGE1 in mice . Since n-hexane and dichloromethane extracts of this plant’s fruit have had a downregulatory effect on COX-1, COX-2, and LTB₄, these fractions are rich sources of unsaturated fatty acids . Galactolipid is an active component in rosehip powder which its NO inhibitory potential has been confirmed through laboratory and in vitro studies .

 Urtica dioica

Urtica dioica (common name is stinging nettle in English, گزنه  in Persian, Ortigamayor in spanish, and القراص  الكبير  in Arabic) is a member of Urticaceae family .

Nettle leaf has been investigated to prove its anti-inflammatory effect in a pilot study. 50 mg Diclofenac per day was administered to patients with acute arthritis together with 50 mg infusion of Urtica dioica orally. This remedy has caused remarkable attenuation in CRP level and some patients’ complaints for 200 mg Diclofenac per day; according to these outcomes, U. dioica when combined with NSAIDs have an outstanding synergistic effect . Topical effectiveness of nettle leaf has been assessed in osteoarthritis of thumb through RCT; significant alleviation in pain, stiffness, and anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy requirements have been observed . The combination of nettle leaf with rosehip and willow bark has suppressed IL-1β and COX-2 in chondrocytes. In this in vitro study, chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of this botanical extract have been proved . Leaf extract of U. dioica has had inhibitory potential on proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB (scientific studies have shown elevation in NF-κB in synovial fluid of RA patients) . This extract has had anti-inflammatory potential in allergic rhinitis by the following pathways: antagonizing H₁-receptor, reducing of PGD₂ production (allergy specific prostaglandin), and inhibitory effect on mast cell tryptase.

Uncaria tomentosa

U. tomentosa commonly known as cat’s claw in English, uña de gato in Spanish, پنجه  گربه in Persian, and مخلب  القط  in Arabic. It belongs to Rubiaceae family and it is an indigenous plant in Amazon and Central America forests .

The efficacy and safety of this plant in improving OA of the knee have been tested on 45 patients who have been divided into 2 groups (placebo and active); the active group has demonstrated some degrees of remission after 4 weeks by inhibiting TNF-α and diminishing PGE₂ production . In a 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial which has been performed for evaluating the effect of high purified extract of U. tomentosa in RA patients, this extract has been administered along with Sulfasalazine or Hydroxy chloroquine; modest benefit of this herb in alleviating pain, swelling, and tenderness of joint has been shown in the treatment group in comparison with the placebo group . There is a report of U. tomentosa causing remarkable remission in enteritis in rats which has been observed . Edible extract of cat’s claw has had protective action against respiratory inflammation in mice . Pivotal mechanism of cat’s claw is inhibition of iNOS and NF-κB expression that in turn have downregulated TNF-α, IL-1α, 1β, 10 and 17 successively. Also, little inactivation effect on COX-1 and COX-2 has been expressed through an in vivo study . This plant’s bark has demonstrated anti-inflammatory action exactly the same as dexamethasone in an animal model, while it has attenuated about 40% of IL-4 while dexamethasone has not.

Salvia officinalis

Salvia officinalis (commonly known as sage in English, مريم  گلی in Persian, salvia in Spanish, and قصعين  طبي in Arabic) is a member of Lamiaceae family .

Carnosol and carnosic acid are phenolic diterpenes which have had anti-inflammatory activity . These two components could have inhibited PGE₂ production via microsomal PGE₂ synthase-1 inhibition. Chloroform extract of sage leaves has shown atopic anti-inflammatory effect in mice . However, sage essential oil has not shown any immunomodulatory effect in mice which had underwent cyclophosphamide-mediated immunosuppression . It is also worth mentioning that Halicioglu et al. have reported generalized tonic-clonic seizures following accidental exposure to sage oil in a newborn and a child .

 Ribes nigrum

Ribes nigrum (common name is blackcurrant in English, آنگور  فرنگى  سياه in Persian, Casis in Spanish, and الكشمش  الأسود in Arabic) oil is a rich source of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), γ-linoleic acid, and α-linoleic acid .

In one clinical trial which has been fulfilled on RA patients during 6 weeks, researchers have investigated the effect of blackcurrant oil (BCO) on patients; outcomes were as follows: attenuation in morning stiffness in the experimental group and reduction in proinflammatory mediators including IL-1β and TNF-α in peripheral blood monocytes . After 24 weeks of treatment period with BC seed oil, disease activity symptoms of RA patients have been reduced. Overall, no significant differences in clinical signs and symptoms have been recorded between the placebo and the case group . Also, BC seed oil has a moderate reinforcement effect on the immune response and inhibitory effect on the PGE₂ biosynthesis in 40 healthy volunteers older than 65 years . In another clinical study, 12 healthy subjects have consumed BC oil; attenuating in LTB₄ biosynthesis via polymorphonuclear-neutrophil (PMN) and increasing of dihomo-γ-linoleic acid in PMN’s phospholipids have been observed . BC skin extract could reduce heat shock protein (HSP70 and HSP90), COX-2, and NF-κB expression in rats which were under diethylnitrosamine (hepatocarcinogen) exposure .

 Persea americana/Glycine max

Persea americana (common name is Avocado in English, آووکادو  in Persian, árbol in Spanish,   in Hindi, and  الزِبدِيّة- الأفوكاتة in Arabic) is a native fruit in Central America  and belongs to Lauraceae family. Glycine max (common name is soybean in English, سویا  in Persian, soja in Spanish,  in Hindi, and فول  الصويا in Arabic) is a member of Fabaceae family, native to East Asia.

In a prospective multicenter, 3-month randomized control trial, 153 OA patients have been enrolled and treated with Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) along with NSAID; after 45 days of therapy, NSAID requirement has diminished but no significant changes have occurred in patients’ pain scores . In three clinical trials which have been carried out on OA patients, the effectiveness of ASU has been assessed. Two of them have demonstrated reduction in Lequesne’s functional index (LFI), pain, and disability; likewise, more than 50% attenuation in NSAID requirement has been observed in 71% of patients in the case group versus 36% in the control group, but in the last trial, no intergroup changes have been reported in joint space width (JSW) which has been considered as primary endpoint and no amelioration has been reported in clinical investigations . During 3 years of follow-up of the hip in OA patients taking ASU, no improvement in JSW has been recorded, but 20% prevention of JSW exacerbation has occurred . ASU also has been administrated to 100 patients with linear scleroderma and morphea; this study has shown a beneficial effect of ASU in preventing atrophy, deformity, and contracture, if the treatment with ASU has been initiated at an early stage of the disease . Topical and dietary administrations of Avocado and soybean extract have been assessed in patients with mild to moderate vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). At the end of 24 weeks of treatment period, main sign and symptom of disease have been diminished significantly .

2.14. Elaeagnus angustifolia

E. angustifolia (common name is Oleaster in English, سنجد in Persian, and  الخلاف  ضيق  الأوراق-الزيزفون  السوري  in Arabic) is a member of Elaeagnaceae family .

The effectiveness of Oleaster in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP) lesion has been evaluated in an RCT with 28 patients. Seventy five percent and 50–75% attenuation in pain and lesion size, respectively, have been observed in the case group . In another randomized clinical trial which has been carried out on 90 knee OA female patients, a significant attenuation in TNF-α and matrix metalloprotein-1 (MMP-1) (proinflammatory mediators) and alleviation in IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) have been reported in active therapy group . Oleaster extract has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect in an animal model but this effect was not significant in comparison with sodium salicylate . Aqueous extract of this fruit has shown anti-inflammatory properties in mice through COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition; the evidence has exerted no correlation between corticosterone level and that of anti-inflammatory action .

Vaccinium myrtillus

Vaccinium myrtillus (commonly known as bilberry in English, بلوبرى  آروپایى in Persian, arándano in spanish, العنبية  الآسية in Arabic) is a member of vaccinium family .

In a randomized clinical trial, which has been carried out on 27 patients with metabolic syndrome who have received 400 g fresh bilberry daily, outcomes have been reported as follows: diminishing in hs-CRP, IL-6, and IL-12 and circulating LPS concentration in the active group . Bilberry has caused remission in 63.4% of 13 ulcerative colitis patients after 6 weeks and significant reduction in mayo score and fecal protection level has occurred . No changes have been observed in anti-inflammatory peptides (monocytes chemotactic protein-1) of diabetic patients after one capsule of concentrated bilberry extract (36% w/w anthocyanins) administration per day .