Janmejai K. Srivastava

Chamomile, a novel and selective COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity

AIMS Inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) has been implicated in the process of inflammation and carcinogenesis. Chamomile has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate whether chamomile interferes with the COX-2 pathway. MAIN METHODS We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages as an in vitro model for our studies. KEY FINDINGS Chamomile treatment inhibited the release of LPS-induced prostaglandin E(2) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. This effect was found to be due to inhibition of COX-2 enzyme activity by chamomile. In addition, chamomile caused reduction in LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, without affecting COX-1 expression. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, sulindac and a specific COX-2 inhibitor, NS398, were shown to act similarly in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Our data suggest that chamomile works by a mechanism of action similar to that attributed to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. SIGNIFICANCE These findings add a novel aspect to the biological profile of chamomile which might be important for understanding the usefulness of aqueous chamomile extract in the form of tea in preventing inflammation and cancer.

Health Promoting Benefits of Chamomile in the Elderly Population

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the medicinal herb, chamomile and its health promoting properties in the older population. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is provided as an adjunct to mainstream medicine with the intention to provide symptom relief and improve quality of life. The different classes of bioactive compounds in chamomile are used in medicinal preparations as well as cosmetics and these compounds include terpenoids and flavonoids. An outline of the various preparations of chamomile, such as dry powder, standardized extract, oral infusion and tea preparation is given. The use of chamomile as a therapeutic agent is mentioned for common cold, cardiovascular conditions, eczema and gastrointestinal conditions among others. Drinking of chamomile tea is stated to boost the immune system and helps fight infections associated with cold and thus shows its health promoting benefits. The quality of life of cancer patients is shown to improve by use of the essential oils of chamomile in aromatherapy/massage for anxiety. The adverse effects to chamomile can occur in people who are sensitive to members of the Compositae family and the side effect can manifest as contact dermatitis.

Abstract 9: Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in high-risk prostate cancer subjects.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies have implicated chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Diet, environmental carcinogens, aging, and other inflammatory diseases cause aberration in reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may play critical roles in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Chronic inflammation results in lipid peroxidation and generation of highly reactive products with the potential to damage DNA. The extent of ROS-induced oxidative damage can be determined by measuring reductions in levels of endogenous antioxidant defense enzymes such as glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-protein thiols, which participate in detoxification processes. The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative status and antioxidant defense mechanisms in 20 men, 54-84 years of age, with increased risk of developing prostate cancer because of the presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) in their prostate biopsies, as compared to 20 healthy men in the same age range whose prostate biopsies showed no evidence of HGPIN. Total glutathione levels were measured in red blood cells, and plasma levels of GSH-Px, GSH-R, CAT, SOD, and PSA were analyzed. Data obtained after analysis was represented as mean, standard error and box plot. Serum PSA levels were significantly (p<0.0001) higher in men with HGPIN, whereas glutathione (P=0.002) levels were higher in men without HGPIN. Levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidized nucleoside of DNA that is most often detected in the DNA of white blood cells, were significantly (p<0.00001) increased in men with HGPIN. There was no significant difference in levels of GSH-R, GSH-Px, lipid peroxide products, CAT, and SOD in men with or without HGPIN. A significant association in between CAT and GSH-Px activity [r= -0.33 (P=0.04)]; PSA levels and 8-OHdG [r= 0.57 (P=0.002] and between glutathione and 8-OHdG [r= -0.39 (P=0.038] were noted between men with HGPIN and healthy controls using Pearson correlation coefficient. These findings indicate that oxidative stress induces imbalances in oxidant/antioxidant status. Increased 8-OHdG levels may lead to oxidative damage and may thereby play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. Citation Format: Sanjeev Shukla, Janmejai K. Srivastava, Rajnee Kanwal, Akbar Nawab, Haripaul Sharma, Natarajan Bhaskaran, Claudia Lillibridge, Lee E. Ponsky, Pingfu Fu, Gregory T. MacLennan, Sanjay Gupta. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in high-risk prostate cancer subjects. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 9. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-9