title: The potential role of natural agents in treatment of airway inflammation.
abstract: Obstructive airway diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis present with dyspnea and variety of other symptoms. Physiologically, they are characterized by maximal expiratory flow limitation and pathologically, by inflammation of the airways and the lung parenchyma. Inflammation plays a major role in the gradual worsening of the lung function resulting in worsening symptoms. For many years, scientists focused their efforts in identifying various pathways involved in the chronic inflammation present in these diseases. Further, studies are underway to identify various molecular targets in these pathways for the purpose of developing novel therapeutic agents. Natural agents have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for the treatment of several medical conditions and have mostly proven to be safe. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies show potential anti-inflammatory role for some of the existing natural agents. This review provides an overview of the literature related to the anti-inflammatory effects of some of the natural agents which have potential value in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases.
authors.affiliation: MED VA Medical Center, Bldg. 100(111i), 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA. amirs@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharafkhaneh
authors.forename: Suryakanta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velamuri
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Badmaev
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanania
mesh_terms: D000551:Ambroxol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D005100:Expectorants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D027902:Justicia; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D032261:Picrorhiza; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D031110:Tylophora
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005100:Expectorants; D011453:Prostaglandins; D013267:Stilbenes; D000551:Ambroxol; D003474:Curcumin; D000077185:Resveratrol