Medicinal Plants, Phytochemicals and Regulation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Comprehensive Review
Rosa Direito,
Sandra Maria Barbalho,
Maria Eduardo Figueira,
Giulia Minniti,
Gabriel Magno de Carvalho,
Bárbara de Oliveira Zanuso,
Ana Rita de Oliveira dos Santos,
Natália de Góes Corrêa,
Victória Dogani Rodrigues,
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart,
Elen Landgraf Guiguer,
Adriano Cressoni Araújo,
Henrique Bosso,
Lucas Fornari Laurindo
Affiliations
Rosa Direito
Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical & Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Sandra Maria Barbalho
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Maria Eduardo Figueira
Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical & Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
Giulia Minniti
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Gabriel Magno de Carvalho
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Bárbara de Oliveira Zanuso
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Ana Rita de Oliveira dos Santos
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Natália de Góes Corrêa
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Victória Dogani Rodrigues
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Avenida Monte Carmelo, 800, Marília 17519-030, São Paulo, Brazil
Ricardo de Alvares Goulart
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Elen Landgraf Guiguer
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Adriano Cressoni Araújo
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Henrique Bosso
Medical Department, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, São Paulo, Brazil
Lucas Fornari Laurindo
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, São Paulo, Brazil
Ongoing research explores the underlying causes of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Many experts suggest that dysbiosis in the gut microbiota and genetic, immunological, and environmental factors play significant roles. The term “microbiota” pertains to the collective community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that reside within the gastrointestinal tract, with a particular emphasis on the colon. When there is an imbalance or disruption in the composition of the gut microbiota, it is referred to as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can trigger inflammation in the intestinal cells and disrupt the innate immune system, leading to oxidative stress, redox signaling, electrophilic stress, and inflammation. The Nod-like Receptor (NLR) Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a key regulator found in immunological and epithelial cells, is crucial in inducing inflammatory diseases, promoting immune responses to the gut microbiota, and regulating the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. Its downstream effectors include caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β. The present study investigated the therapeutic potential of 13 medicinal plants, such as Litsea cubeba, Artemisia anomala, Piper nigrum, Morus macroura, and Agrimonia pilosa, and 29 phytocompounds such as artemisitene, morroniside, protopine, ferulic acid, quercetin, picroside II, and hydroxytyrosol on in vitro and in vivo models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with a focus on their effects on the NLRP3 inflammasome. The observed effects of these treatments included reductions in IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, interferon-gamma, and caspase levels, and increased expression of antioxidant enzymes, IL-4, and IL-10, as well as regulation of gut microbiota. These effects could potentially provide substantial advantages in treating IBD with few or no adverse effects as caused by synthetic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulated drugs. However, additional research is necessary to validate these findings clinically and to develop effective treatments that can benefit individuals who suffer from these diseases.
