8.1.6 Atemwege

Prevention and/or management of the dysregulated immune response in patients with COVID-19 is expected to help in the treatment of COVID-19. Boswellic acids (BAs) have great therapeutic potential because they have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of a BA formulation, Inflawell syrup, which was previously shown to be effective in reducing disease symptoms in patients who suffer from mild to moderate COVID-19. Patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 were treated with either Inflawell containing boswellic acids or a placebo for 14 days. The serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1α, IL-17, IL-1Ra, and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), were measured both at study onset and on day 14 after treatment started. In addition, to further investigate the signaling pathway(s) underlying the changes in cytokine levels, we evaluated the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65 mRNAs and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB) and IκB proteins. In our study, a significant decrease in the serum levels of IL-1α ( < .009), IL-8 ( < .04), TNF-α ( < .0001), and MCP-1 ( < .007) was detected in patients treated with Inflawell. Additionally, our data revealed a decrease in phospho-IκB protein levels ( < .02) and NF-κB p65 mRNA levels ( < .002), whereas the amount of IκB protein ( < .01) in the Inflawell group was significantly greater than that in the placebo group. Furthermore, despite the decreasing trend in the expression of TNFR1 and TNFR2 in the Inflawell group, there was no statistically significant difference compared with that in the placebo group. In general, treatment with Inflawell syrup led to a lower level of proinflammatory cytokines and a decrease in the activity of the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Boswellia carterii (BC) resins plants have a long historical background as a treatment for inflammation, as indicated by information originating from multiple countries. Twenty-seven diterpenoids have been identified in ethyl acetate and total methanol BC, comprising seventeen boscartins of the cembrane-type diterpenoids and ten boscartols of the prenylaromadendrane-type diterpenoids. Moreover, twenty-one known triterpenoids have also been found, encompassing nine tirucallane-type, six ursane-type, four oleanane-type, and two lupane-type. The cembrane-type diterpenoids hold a significant position in pharmaceutical chemistry and related industries due to their captivating biological characteristics and promising pharmacological potentials. Extraction of BC, creation and assessment of nano sponges loaded with either B. carterii plant extract or DEX, are the subjects of our current investigation. With the use of ultrasound-assisted synthesis, nano sponges were produced. The entrapment efficiency (EE%) of medications in nano sponges was examined using spectrophotometry. Nano sponges were characterized using a number of methods. Within nano sponges, the EE% of medicines varied between 98.52 ± 0.07 and 99.64 ± 1.40%. The nano sponges' particle sizes varied from 105.9 ± 15.9 to 166.8 ± 26.3 nm. Drugs released from nano sponges using the Korsmeyer-Peppas concept. In respiratory distressed rats, the effects of BC plant extract, DEX salt and their nano formulations (D1, D5, P1 and P1), were tested. Treatment significantly reduced ICAM-1, LTB4, and ILβ 4 levels and improved histopathologic profiles, when compared to the positive control group. Boswellia extract and its nano sponge formulation P1 showed promising therapeutic effects. The effect of P1 may be due to synergism between both the extract and the formulation. This effect was achieved by blocking both ICAM-1 and LTB4 pathways, therefore counteracting the effects of talc powder.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a low molecular weight chemical compound that has a deleterious effect on the endocrine system. It was used in plastics manufacturing with injurious effects on different body systems. Occupational exposure to low-level ionizing radiation (<1 Gy) is shown to attenuate an established inflammatory process and therefore enhance cell protection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of boswellic acid (BA) accompanied by whole-body low-dose gamma radiation (γ-R) against BPA-induced lung toxicity in male albino rats. BPA intoxication induced with 500 mg/kg BW. Rats received 50 mg BA/kg BW by gastric gavage concomitant with 0.5 Gy γ-R over 4 weeks. The immunoblotting and biochemical results revealed that BA and/or γ-R inhibited BPA-induced lung toxicity by reducing oxidative damage biomolecules; (MDA and NADPH oxidase gene expression), inflammatory indices (MPO, TNF-α, IL-6, and gene expression of CXCR-4). Moreover, BA and or/γ-R ameliorated the lung inflammation regulation of the JNK/ERK/c-Fos and Nrf2/ HO-1 signaling pathways. Interestingly, our data demonstrated that BA in synergistic interaction with γ-R is efficacious control against BPA-induced lung injury anti-oxidant mediated anti-inflammatory activities.

Inflammation plays a major role in chronic airway diseases like asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the worsening of the lung function resulting in worsening symptoms. The inflammatory process is very complexed, therefore the strategies for developing an effective treatment for inflammatory airway diseases would benefit from the use of natural substances. Plant products have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties on various lung disease models and numerous natural plant agents have successfully been used to treat inflammation. Naturally occurring substances may exert some anti-inflammatory effects by modulating some of the inflammatory pathways. These agents have been used in different cultures for thousands of years and have proven to be relatively safe. Parthenolide, apocynin, proanthocyanidins, and boswellic acid present different mechanisms of actions - among others, through NF-kB or NADPH oxidase inhibition, therefore showing a wide range of applications in various inflammatory diseases. Moreover, some of them have also antioxidant properties. This review provides an overview of the anti-inflammatory effects of some of the natural agents and illustrates their great potential as sources of drugs to cover an extensive range of pharmacological effects.

Effect of alcoholic extract of salai guggal (AESG) was studied on cellular and humoral immune responses in mice and leucocyte migration in rats. Oral administration of AESG strongly inhibited the antibody production and cellular responses to sheep red blood cells in mice. It inhibited the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and reduced the volume of pleural exudate in carrageenan induced pleurisy in rats. It showed no cytotoxic effect.