Herbal Approaches To Modulating : iNOS, IL-6, TNFA, COX-2, and IL-10
*This article is not medical advice. Before starting on any health related regimen, seek the advice of your Primary Care Physician or an M.D.
Using Food Chemistry To Modulate Key Inflammatory and Immune Genes
This is one of my favorite articles to show clients how herbs and spices can help inflammation and how they compare [1]. It also illustrates, that although Apigenin, Quercetin, and Luteolin are certainly potent anti inflammatory in general, why their use should in almost all cases be short term.
One of the most common markers of interest is iNOS (NOS2), and shown in this article[1] are clear options for downregulating NOS2. However, each herb shown also has other effects in other pathways. As a simple example, each herb needs to use a specific CYP450 Phase 1 detox gene, and likely also use NQO1 to become ubiquinated. Fenugreek certainly is a NOS2 inhibitor, but it also has strong estrogenic effects, and effects on fatty acid metabolism that should be considered.
Potent Herbal iNOS Inhibitors[1]
Rosemary
Sage
Oregano
Chrysin
Fenugreek
Licorice - famous for raising low blood pressure, and we wonder why:). Each year over consumption of licorice results in a substantial number of ER admissions for high blood pressure!
Apigenin, Quercetin, Luteolin, Resveratrol, Myricetin, Diosmetin, Kampferol
Potent Herbal Il-6 Inhibitors[1]
Black Pepper, Chilli Peppers
Bay Leaves
Sage
Apples
(note, a reduction in IL-6 has been shown to increase iron absorption)
There are surprisingly quite a few herbs and spices that raise TNFA - especially pomegranate, so be careful in your selection of “healthy” foods![1]
IL-10 Inhibitors - A super important gene needed to modulate the gut microbiome activated immune process. Mutations on IL-10 have extreme statistical significance in ME CFS, one in particular that has a p value of .07, by itself. Long term inhibition not suggested.
Bay Leaves
Apple
Cinnamon
Chrysin
Thyme
Rosemary
Sage
Luteolin
Apigenin
Quercetin
Resveratrol
Kampferol
COX-2 Inhibitors
Apigenin
Luteolin
References:
Anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from fruits, herbs and spices. By Monika Mueller, Stefanie Hobiger, Alois Jungbauer. Christian Doppler Laboratory for Receptor Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, AustriaFood Chemistry 122 (2010) 987–996.