title: Borage oil reduction of rheumatoid arthritis activity may be mediated by increased cAMP that suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
abstract: Recent double blind studies have shown some benefit of borage oil in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha has been shown to be a central mediator of inflammatory and joint destructive processes in rheumatoid arthritis. In this paper, evidence from published research is reviewed that indicates gamma linolenic acid component of borage oil increases prostaglandin E levels that increase cAMP levels that in turn suppress tumor necrosis factor-alpha synthesis. If this biochemical path of borage oil is correct then (1) concomitant non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use would tend to undermine borage oil effects, and (2) borage oil would be contraindicated in pregnancy given the teratogenic and labor inducing effects of prostaglandin E agonists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington 05401, USA. rekast@email.com
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kast
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D029683:Borago / Q000737:chemistry*; D000075202:Contraindications; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000527:Alprostadil; C079363:borage oil; D015232:Dinoprostone