Chamomile, a novel and selective COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract

Aims Inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) has been implicated in the process of inflammation and carcinogenesis. Chamomile has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate whether chamomile interferes with the COX-2 pathway. Main Methods We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages as an in vitro model for our studies. Key Findings Chamomile treatment inhibited the release of LPS-induced prostaglandin E(2) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. This effect was found to be due to inhibition of COX-2 enzyme activity by chamomile. In addition, chamomile caused reduction in LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, without affecting COX-1 expression. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, sulindac and a specific COX-2 inhibitor, NS398, were shown to act similarly in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Our data suggest that chamomile works by a mechanism of action similar to that attributed to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Significance These findings add a novel aspect to the biological profile of chamomile which might be important for understanding the usefulness of aqueous chamomile extract in the form of tea in preventing inflammation and cancer.

Inhibition of COX-2 and PGE2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by lonimacranthoide VI, a chlorogenic acid ester saponin

“…NF-κB binding sites have been identified on the murine COX-2 promoter, which plays a role in LPS-mediated induction of COX-2 in macrophages. In addition, binding of CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs), c-AMP response element binding proteins (CREBs) and c-Jun to the COX-2 promoter enhances its transcriptional activation (16). The present study is limited to understanding the gene expression and in vitro activity of COX-1 and COX-2 and the production of PGE 2 , therefore, it may be noteworthy to understand the effect of lonimacranthoide VI at the transcriptional activation level involving the NF-κB, C/EBP, CREB and c-Jun proteins.…”

Main ingredients in herbal formulation may act as preservative agent

“…chamomilla essential oil has been prescribed as inflammatory and analgesic agents for long times and these effects are attributed to inhibition of Prostaglandin E2 and attenuation of COX-2 (Srivastava et al, 2009). Wound healing effect of topical application of M. chamomilla was shown on patients under dermabration of tattoos (Srivastava et al, 2009). The healing properties, anti-inflammatory action, moisturizing and anti-aging effect of Aloe vera gel have been explored (Hashemi et al, 2015;Surjushe et al, 2008).…”

Naturally Occurring Substances and Their Role in Chemo-protective Effects

“…There is a huge decrease in the incidence of breast and colorectal carcinoma during chronic intake of NSAID. But longterm usage of some NSAIDs leads to health problems (19,20). In lung carcinoma chemoprevention, several studies have been done with deguelin, giving hopeful results.…”