Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
08:58
Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
12.7K
Natural Products: Experimental Efficient Agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy
Fan Cao1, Jie Liu2, Bing-Xian Sha3
1Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|December 17, 2019
Summary
Natural products show promise for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. These compounds may modulate key pathways involved in IBD pathogenesis, providing a potential alternative to current therapies.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Immunology
- Pharmacology and Natural Products Research
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic inflammatory condition with complex, not fully understood causes.
- Current treatments like aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and biologics (e.g., anti-TNF-α) offer some relief but do not provide cures and can have side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathogenesis of IBD, current therapeutic strategies, and the potential of natural products (NPs) as novel treatments.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms by which NPs exert therapeutic effects in IBD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing research on IBD pathogenesis.
- Analysis of studies investigating natural products for IBD treatment.
- Examination of the molecular and cellular targets of natural products in IBD models.
Main Results:
- Natural products exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-apoptotic properties relevant to IBD.
- NPs can modulate key pathways including NLRP3 inflammasome, gut microbiota, and immune responses.
- Evidence suggests NPs can protect intestinal epithelia and microvascular endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Natural products represent a promising therapeutic avenue for managing IBD due to their multifaceted beneficial effects.
- Further research into the mechanisms and clinical efficacy of NPs is warranted for developing new IBD treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
411
Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Pharmacologic...
411
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
395
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide...
395
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
580
Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
580
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
375
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
375
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
423
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
423
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
408
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
408