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Using Complementary and Alternative Medicines to Target the Host Response during Severe Influenza
Lisa M Alleva1, Charles Cai, Ian A Clark
1Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra and Chinese Treatment Centre, Suite 4 Professional Centre, Turner, Australia.
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|September 26, 2009
Summary
Influenza deaths stem from inflammation. Natural compounds like red clover and Chinese herbs, alongside PPAR alpha drugs, show promise in reducing inflammation and mortality, offering new avenues for influenza treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Avian H5N1 influenza mortality is primarily driven by overwhelming inflammatory responses.
- Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are being investigated for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review CAM with anti-inflammatory effects.
- To contextualize these findings with research on pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory agents for influenza.
Main Methods:
- Literature search for CAM with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Analysis of existing research on herbal medicines (Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza) and compounds (Biochanin A).
- Integration with studies using gemfibrozil (a PPAR alpha ligand) in a mouse model of influenza.
Main Results:
- Angelica sinensis and Salvia miltiorrhiza protect mice from lethal sepsis by inhibiting High Mobility Group Box 1 protein (HMGB1).
- Biochanin A, found in red clover, possesses anti-inflammatory properties via PPAR alpha and gamma activation.
- Gemfibrozil significantly reduced mortality in a mouse model of influenza.
Conclusions:
- Natural anti-inflammatory agents like Biochanin A, Angelica sinensis, and Salvia miltiorrhiza warrant investigation as potential influenza treatments.
- These agents could serve as standalone or adjunctive therapies to antivirals.
- Understanding inflammation modulation is key for developing effective influenza therapies.
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