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


METHODS
We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages as an in vitro model for our studies.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University & University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States.
Janmejai K
JK
Srivastava
Mitali
M
Pandey
Sanjay
S
Gupta
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047310:Apigenin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D020843:Chamomile / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D047310:Apigenin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone