Inflammation is the normal response by the body to damage and infection. Cell fragments from cellular damage and signaling chemicals released by immune cells initiate a series of responses that cause the inflammation process. Anti-inflammatory compounds stop this process and/or reduce its effects on the body.
Normal Inflamatory Process
The normal inflammatory process begins with cellular damage, specific irritating compounds or infection. The body responds to these signals with a series of events that result in the infiltration of the local tissues with blood and fluids including immune cells and other defensive chemicals. This infiltration of the tissues causes the hallmark symptoms of heat, redness, swelling, pain and dysfunction.
Normally, the inflammatory process serves to protect and repair the body. However, the short-term effect of dysfunction can be counter-productive in certain tissues or chronic conditions.
Types of Anti-Inflammtory Medicines
There are three main types of anti-inflammatory medications: the corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the relatively new class called Immune Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives (ImSAIDs).
Coticosteroids are hormone (cortisol as an example) or hormone analogs (dexamethasone is an example) that reduce inflammation by interacting with the glucocorticoid receptors on cells. This interaction diminishes the cellular activities of inflammation. Unfortunately, as with most hormones, corticosteroids have other functions in the body beside moderating inflammation, and there are undesirable side effects of their use.
NSAIDs are compounds that interact with the non-cellular inflammation processes mediated by cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. These compounds (ibuprofen and aspirin are examples) block COX enzyme activity and stop the chemical pathway that leads to inflammation.
ImSAIDs are a new type of anti-inflammatory drug that directly interacts with specific immune cells to stop the inflammation process.
Herbs with Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Several herbs feature anti-inflammatory effects. The best understood is willow, which contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient of aspirin. Other anti-inflammatory herbs contain a variety of compounds with varying effects on the inflammation process. In general, natural medicines can be shown to have potent effects, but the exact mechanisms are sometimes elusive.
Herbs with potent anti-inflammatory effects include turmeric, ginger, devils claw, hyssop, pineapple and arnica.
References
- Medical Nutrition from Marz; Russell Marz; Second Edition 1998
- Basic Pathology; Vinay Kumar, Ramzi Contran and Stanley Robins; Sixth Ed.,1997
- Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine; Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno, Second Ed.; 1997
