Related Experiment Videos
Potential Therapeutic Roles of Icariin in Inflammatory Diseases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Translation
Sirui Du1, Weifeng Li1, Meixiu Jiang2
1School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Road, Nanchang 330031, China.
Abstract:
Inflammatory diseases are caused by overactivation of the immune system and lead to tissue damage; their high incidence and complications seriously threaten human health. Currently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and immunosuppressants are the mainstay of clinical practice, but their long-term use can cause gastrointestinal damage, drug resistance, and other problems. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has become a research hotspot for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, among which Icariin (ICA), the main active ingredient of Epimedium, has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory potential. In this review, a comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted, and original studies on the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of ICA were included. The roles and mechanisms of ICA in inflammatory diseases in different systems are summarized. Specifically, ICA suppresses NF-κB and MAPK signaling, inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and activates the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant axis, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Overall, the current evidence indicates broad anti-inflammatory effects of ICA across multiple organ systems, particularly in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction; however, clinical translation is limited by poor bioavailability and the lack of standardized dosage data. Future efforts should focus on pharmacokinetic optimization and well-designed clinical trials to facilitate its application in inflammatory diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis