Inflammatory Disorders
When the immune system of the body is responding to any injury, tissue damage, or infection, this may result in a condition called inflammation. This is a normal process.
However, if the inflammation occurs in any body part or tissue other than the immune system’s response, then this is a disorder and may become severe if it is not treated properly.
Some of the common disorders that can cause inflammation are as follows:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chron’s diseases
Asthma
The common symptoms that can result from inflammation are:
Redness
Heat
Pain
Swelling
Difficulty in performing the activity.
The diagnosis of these disorders depends on the physical examination of that part of the body as well as it can be diagnosed by imaging techniques such as X-ray or some lab tests[1].
These disorders can be treated by using medications or by improving the lifestyle such as taking exercise regularly.
The medications available for treating such disorders include biological therapeutics, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as some immunosuppressive drugs.
The Anti-inflammatory drugs may have side effects so we can prefer some herbal compounds having the same function, but these should be scientifically approved.
Anti-inflammatory Agents
The substances that are used to reduce inflammation in the body are called anti-inflammatory agents.
These substances can be natural or synthetic. And are recommended to patients with inflammatory disorders based on their condition.
The commonly used anti-inflammatory substances include:
Biological substances
Corticosteroids
NSAIDS
Colchicine
Fatty acids (omega-3)
Biological agents are substances that usually target the proteins which are involved in the inflammatory response. These substances are used typically while treating autoimmune deformities including rheumatoid arthritis disorder.
An example of a biological substance used in the treatment of inflammation is infliximab.
Corticosteroids are synthetic substances that are used to suppress the immune system in the body of the patient in order to reduce inflammation. They copy the activity of the cortisol hormone that is found normally in the body and reduce the activity of the immune system.
An example of a corticosteroid that is used to decrease inflammation is hydrocortisone.
NSAIDs are used typically to stop the production of chemicals that can cause inflammation such as prostaglandins.
An example of an NSAID that can be used to decrease inflammation in any part of the body is Aspirin [3].
Similarly, we can also use some herbal or natural compounds to decrease inflammation and treat such disorders as these medications have the least side effects. One of the best examples is berberine which has a very crucial role in reducing inflammation. It is a scientifically proven compound and has a highly anti-inflammatory activity.
Berberines
Berberine is a naturally occurring substance found in the stems, rhizomes, and roots of numerous plants. It has been used for an exceptionally long time in traditional medicine because of its many health benefits, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic practices.
Due to its potential therapeutic benefits for many diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, berberine has recently attracted a lot of attention. We shall examine berberine's biology and discuss its health advantages in this article.
Berberine's many complex biological features have been the focus of in-depth study.
One of Berberine's primary modes of action is its capacity to interact with a wide range of molecular targets, including receptors, signaling pathways, and enzymes, leading to a variety of pharmacological effects [5].
It has been demonstrated that activating AMPK, a key enzyme involved in cellular energy regulation, enhances insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Increasing the expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor, which helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, has also been demonstrated to speed up the breakdown of cholesterol by berberine.
Because it can lower lipid levels, berberine may lessen the risk of cardiovascular illnesses [6]
Berberine has demonstrated potential in treating a wide range of additional medical disorders in addition to metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Berberine as an Anti-inflammatory Agent
Different research studies have suggested berberine as the best anti-inflammatory agent.
It reduces inflammation by acting through different processes in the body and is the best medication for treating different disorders that cause inflammation.
Multiple experiments have been performed to study the role of the crucial compound, berberine.
Berberine has always proved itself to be the best organic compound to reduce inflammation with no side effects [7].
Mechanism of Action of Berberine
Multiple in vitro and in vivo experiments have been performed to check the mechanism by which berberine can act on the inflamed part of the body and reduce inflammation.
One of the studies has shown that berberine has the potential to reduce the production of different cytokines that can lead to inflammation. One such cytokine is TNF-alpha which promotes inflammation, but it is inhibited by berberine.
It has also been found that the berberine compound plays a crucial role in increasing the production of anti-inflammatory proteins in the body. These proteins help to decrease inflammation as well as oxidative stress and help in the treatment of inflammation-causing disorders. examples of such proteins include HO-1 and Nrf2 [8].
Studies have also shown that berberine can inhibit different enzymes in the body that produce inflammatory substances. When these enzymes such as COX2 are inhibited, they will not be able to perform their activity of producing inflammation and as a result, inflammation in the body will get reduced.
Another important mechanism that researchers have shown for Berberine is that this crucial compound can regulate the functions of some immune system components that have roles in producing inflammation. When macrophages or phagocytes are controlled in their function, no inflammation will be produced [9].
So, berberine can act through any of the above-mentioned processes and can help reduce inflammation and treat disorders causing inflammation in the body.
Preclinical and Clinical Trials Data
The safety and efficacy of berberine in reducing inflammation in the body of an organism have been confirmed through multiple in vivo experiments.
These experimental studies were performed on human patients with inflammatory disorders as well as on animal models to check the effectiveness of this crucial compound.
Preclinical trials performed on different animal models including rats and pigs have shown that berberine has crucial roles in inhibiting pro-inflammatory substances and promoting different types of anti-inflammatory substances [10].
A study was performed on a mouse model with rheumatoid arthritis and results showed that berberine played a crucial role in reducing the swelling of joints in that model after it was treated with this crucial organic compound.
Another study was performed on a rat model with colitis disorder. It was also treated with berberine for some specific period of time and was observed later that berberine significantly reduced the inflammation in colitis of this rat and cured the disorder.
Similar studies were also performed on animal models with many other inflammatory diseases, and these were treated with berberine. Berberine has always proven itself the best medication to reduce inflammation in any part of the body [11].
Studies have also been done on human patients with different types of inflammatory diseases in order to check the safety of berberine in humans as well as its effectiveness.
A clinical trial study was performed on human patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These patients were randomly given a placebo and berberine for around three months. The results showed that berberine was the best medication as it significantly reduced inflammation in the joints of these patients.
Another study was performed on human patients with ulcerative colitis disorder. These patients were given berberine randomly in combination with another therapy that was conventionally available for treating this disorder. Some patients were only given the available therapy while others were given therapy along with berberine. Results indicated that the patients who were given berberine showed a more significant reduction in inflammation as compared to the patients who were only treated with the conventional therapeutic modality. Moreover, the side effects were negligible in patients who were given berberine as compared to the other patients.
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