Bioactive Compounds and Extracts from Traditional Herbs and Their Potential Anti-Inflammatory Health Effects

Abstract

The inflammatory processes associated with several chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer have been the focus of mechanistic studies of the pathogenicity of these diseases and of the use of different pharmacological and natural methods to prevent them. In this study we review the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural extracts from as-yet little-studied traditional botanical species in alleviating the inflammation process associated with several chronic diseases. Additionally, the intention is to expose the known pathways of action and the potential synergistic effects of the constituent compounds of the discussed extracts. It is noted that the here-studied extracts, which include black garlic rich in S-allylcystein, polyphenols from cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa), devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), and citrus fruit extracts rich in hesperidin, have similar or greater effects than other, more extensively studied extracts such as tea and cocoa. The combined use of all of these extracts can give rise to synergetic effects with greater biological relevance at lower doses.

Preventative and Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids in Peptic Ulcers

“…Natural compounds found in diet and plants are generally used in such cases when drugs are to be used frequently or for chronic periods [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have investigated natural compounds with gastroprotective effects, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes and terpenoids, saponins, phenolic acids, tannins, and fatty acids [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Improvement of the antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria in combination with berries/fruits and dairy industry by‐products

“…Besides their antioxidant activity, PC action includes antitumoral, antiviral, antibacterial, cardioprotective and antimutagenic activities . The inflammatory processes associated with several chronic illnesses have been the focus of mechanistic studies of the pathogenicity of these diseases, as well as of the use of different pharmacological and natural methods to prevent them . For this reason, natural antimicrobials have become very popular.…”

“…3 The inflammatory processes associated with several chronic illnesses have been the focus of mechanistic studies of the pathogenicity of these diseases, as well as of the use of different pharmacological and natural methods to prevent them. 4 For this reason, natural antimicrobials have become very popular. Thus, new aspects concerning the use of B/F by-products for further exploitation in the production of antimicrobials have gained interest because these high-value products and their valorization may be economically attractive.…”

Harpagophytum Procumbens and Use in Phytotherapy

“…(Pedaliaceae), Güney Afrika'nın Kalahari Çölü bölgesinde yetişen, yaygın tıbbi kullanımı olan bir bitkidir [1]. Meyvesinin görünüşü nedeniyle şeytan pençesi olarak adlandırılan H. procumbens geleneksel tıpta, artrit ve romatizmal hastalıklarda antienflamatuvar özelliklerinden dolayı kullanılmaktadır [2]. Günümüzde H. procumbens'in en sık kullanım alanı osteoartrittir [3].…”