Effects of inhaled β‑caryophyllene on vascular stiffness in smokers: A randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial

Abstract

Approximately 1.14 billion smokers worldwide are at risk of developing tumors, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. Smoking cessation is the first choice of health care; however, the disease should be attenuated in individuals who never stop smoking, which escalates medical costs. Therefore, alternative options are needed to manage the social burden. The present study proposed an alternative method to prevent such diseases by inhalation of β-caryophyllene (BCP). A placebo-targeted, dose-searching, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study was conducted on 19 subjects. The BCP intervention was performed using a flavor capsule inserted in a cigarette filter. The primary endpoint was the reducibility of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The secondary endpoints were confirmation of the bioavailability of BCP inhalation with cigarette smoke, confirmation of the effect of BCP inhalation on respiratory function, and association between respiratory function and blood concentration and baPWV reduction. The BCP concentration in the blood reached 4 ng/ml in the BCP 15% group 10 min after inhalation. The baPWV decreased in BCP-inhaling subjects whose initial baPWV was >1,300 cm/sec. The correlation analyses revealed that the higher the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, the better the transition of baPWV. Inhaled BCP with cigarette smoke could reduce the baPWV and the risk of cardiovascular diseases in smokers. These findings indicated that with the introduction of BCP capsule-cigarettes in the future, smokers will be able to take care of their health, which may help reduce national medical costs. BCP microcapsules placed in cigarette wrapping paper may possibly reduce the risk of sidestream smoke and contribute to improved public health. This clinical research was retrospectively registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN)-Clinical Trials Registry with the following identifications: UMIN000048510 and UMIN000048512 on

Identification of CD8 T-cell dysfunction associated with symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID and treatment with a nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen agent in a retrospective case series

“…All the active compounds in the nebulized agent are naturally found in foods common in the diet, and each has established values for daily dietary intake. Each of the five active ingredients have individually undergone human clinical trials via the inhalation pathway and have demonstrated efficacy and safety in their use ( Prousky, 2007 ; Buhl et al, 1990 ; Holroyd et al, 1993 ; Calabrese et al, 2015 ; Homma et al, 2012 ; Bishop et al, 2005 ; Panahi et al, 2023 ; Li et al, 2018 ; Yamada et al, 2023 ; Williams, 2013 ; Smith et al, 1952 ; Kim et al, 2014 ; Jager et al, 1996 ). At present, the nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen agent is manufactured as a compounded medicine exclusively for a single complementary medicine center (Salerno Center, New York) and is not available through any other source.…”

Combination of Taurine and Black Pepper Extract as a Treatment for Cardiovascular and Coronary Artery Diseases

“…The beneficial effect of BCP was noted to be via inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and direct activation of CB 2 R [69,105]. Interestingly, in a clinical trial with smokers, it was shown that a 12-week BCP intervention (performed using a flavor capsule inserted into the cigarette filter) caused a reduction in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (an indicator of arterial sclerosis) but had no effect on blood pressure parameters (e.g., DBP, SBP, pulse pressure, heart rate and ankle brachial index) [192]. In male normotensive Wistar rats, an intravenous bolus dose of α-pinene or β-pinene caused transitory hypotension and tachycardia, which was hypothesized to be suggestive of a pronounced drop in vascular resistance and subsequent compensatory sympathetic peripheral vasoconstriction induced by activation of the baroreflex [193].…”