Present Status and Future Trends of Natural-Derived Compounds Targeting T Helper (Th) 17 and Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) as Alternative Therapies for Autoimmune and Inflammatory-Based Diseases
Anella Saviano,
Federica Raucci,
Gian Marco Casillo,
Chiara Indolfi,
Alessia Pernice,
Carmen Foreste,
Asif Jilani Iqbal,
Nicola Mascolo,
Francesco Maione
Affiliations
Anella Saviano
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Federica Raucci
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Gian Marco Casillo
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Chiara Indolfi
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Alessia Pernice
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Carmen Foreste
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Asif Jilani Iqbal
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Nicola Mascolo
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Francesco Maione
ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
Several natural-based compounds and products are reported to possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity both in vitro and in vivo. The primary target for these activities is the inhibition of eicosanoid-generating enzymes, including phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenases (COXs), and lipoxygenases, leading to reduced prostanoids and leukotrienes. Other mechanisms include modulation of protein kinases and activation of transcriptases. However, only a limited number of studies and reviews highlight the potential modulation of the coupling enzymatic pathway COX-2/mPGES-1 and Th17/Treg circulating cells. Here, we provide a brief overview of natural products/compounds, currently included in the Italian list of botanicals and the BELFRIT, in different fields of interest such as inflammation and immunity. In this context, we focus our opinion on novel therapeutic targets such as COX-2/mPGES-1 coupling enzymes and Th17/Treg circulating repertoire. This paper is dedicated to the scientific career of Professor Nicola Mascolo for his profound dedication to the study of natural compounds.
