- a Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, 4-1-207, Osennaya Str., 121609, Moscow, Russia
- b Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiyskaya Str., 125315, Moscow, Russia
- c Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex, 15-a 3rd Cherepkovskaya Str., 121552, Moscow, Russia
- d Biomedical Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 141 Via del Vespro, 90127, Palermo, Italy
- e Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology, Via Emerico Amari 123, 90139, Palermo, Italy
- Received 13 November 2015, Revised 1 December 2015, Accepted 4 December 2015, Available online 19 December 2015
Abstract
Background
Currently
a chronic inflammation is considered to be the one of the most
important reasons of the atherosclerosis progression. A huge amount of
researches over the past few decades are devoted to study the various
mechanisms of inflammation in the development of atherosclerotic
lesions.
Purpose
To review
current capabilities of anti-inflammatory therapy for the prevention and
treatment of atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations.
Methods
Appropriate
articles on inflammatory cytokines in atherosclerosis and
anti-inflammatory prevention of atherosclerosis were searched in PubMed
Database from their respective inceptions until October 2015.
Sections
“The
role of inflammatory cytokines in the development of atherosclerotic
lesions” describes available data on the possible inflammatory
mechanisms of the atherogenesis with a special attention to the role of
cytokines. “Modern experience of anti-inflammatory therapy for the
treatment of atherosclerosis” describes modern anti-inflammatory
preparations with anti-atherosclerotic effect including natural
preparations. In “the development of anti-inflammatory herbal
preparation for atherosclerosis prevention” an algorithm is demonstrated
that includes screening of anti-cytokine activity of different natural
products, the development of the most effective combination and
estimation of its effect in cell culture model, in animal model of the
acute aseptic inflammation and in a pilot clinical trial. A natural
preparation “Inflaminat” based on black elder berries (Sambucus nigra L.), violet tricolor herb (Viola tricolor L.) and calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis
L.) possessing anti-cytokine activity was developed using the designed
algorithm. The results of the following 2-year double blind
placebo-controlled clinical study show that “Inflaminat” reduces carotid
IMT progression, i.e. has anti-atherosclerotic effect.
Conclusion
Anti-cytokine
therapy may be a promising direction in moderation of atherogenesis,
especially when it begins on the early stages of subclinical
atherosclerosis. The use of herbal preparations with anti-cytokine
mechanism of action is the most perspective for timely prevention of
atherosclerosis, as they have no significant side effects and can be
prescribed for long-term administration.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis prevention;
- Anti-cytokine therapy;
- Inflammation;
- Herbal preparation
Abbreviations
- BMI, body mass index;
- CRP, C-reactive protein;
- ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule;
- IL-1, interleukin 1;
- IL-6, interleukin 6;
- cIMT, carotid intima-media thickness;
- LDL, low-density lipoproteins;
- M-CSF, macrophage colony-stimulating factor;
- MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1;
- NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug;
- TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α;
- VSMCs, vascular smooth muscle cells
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
