Soothing the Inflamed Brain

Chronic inflammation in the brain can lead to premature aging and cognitive dysfunction. Brain diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis are marked by inflammation, but natural products focus more on Alzheimer's and overall cognitive health.

The botanical turmeric yields curcumin, which has exhibited anti-inflammatory actions relevant to brain health. Specifically, curcumin can inhibit the LOX and COX pathways, reducing the expression of various cytokines including IL-12, TNF-alpha and certain prostaglandins, as well as NFkappaB, COX-2 and iNOS.^1,2 A 2008 study report from UCLA outlined how curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin reduced IL-1b in both acute and chronic inflammation models, while curcumin decreased amyloid plaque burden and insoluble beta-amyloid peptide in an Alzheimer's model.³

Ginkgo biloba, the well-known memory enhancer, has various anti-inflammatory actions that can help protect the brain. Ginkgolide B inhibits platelet activating factor (PAF), which is a mediator of allergen-induced inflammation, such is seen in asthma and central nervous system disorders. In animal hippocampus, ginkgolide B (BN 52021) has modulated the inflammation response related to PAF.⁴ In a 2007 animal study out of Shanghai Jiaotong University, China, acute inflammatory damage caused by lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial endotoxin, was inhibited by ginkgolide B (BN52021) treatment, a benefit researchers attributed to its effect on PAF.⁵

Further demonstrating the positive effects of polyphenols on inflammation, a plant B-ring flavonoid combination (as Lasoperin™, Unigen Pharmaceuticals) suppressed inflammation in the brain, improving cognitive function in an animal stuffy focused on hippocampal function.⁶

There is also some evidence vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory actions to help reverse the age-related increase in microglial activation and the accompanying increase in IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta) concentration, according to Trinity College, Dublin, research reviewrs.⁷

However, there is mounting evidence that omega-3s' anti-inflammatory heroism extends to the brain. The production of eicosanoids is the focus here, although it may be the production of anti-inflammatory lipoxins, resolvins and neuroprotectin D1 that protect neurons.⁸

A 2004 University of British Columbia, Vancouver, animal study focused on cognitive impairment from pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1b, which releases the inflammatory mediator PGE2 into the blood.⁹ They found long-term supplementation EPA, but not soybean oil, inhibited this inflammatory pathology and protected against memory impairment.

EPA dominates inflammatory research, due to its leading role in eicosanoid production via COX pathways, but a 2008 Swedish inflammation trial focused fatty acid preparations rich in DHA.¹⁰ The DHA-rich intervention not only increased plasma DHA and EPA concentrations, but it also reduced the release of IL-1b and IL-6 and other cytokines from mononuclear cells in Alzheimer's patients.

The multi-faceted approach of anti-inflammatory ingredients is also showcased in research on alpha lipoic acid (ALA) showing a protective effect against oxidation of beta amyloid in the brain (Alzheimer's factor), as well as in plasma, liver, spleen and in inflamed animal models.¹¹ Scientists involved in this research concluded ALA is a novel approach to limiting oxidative damage from inflammation involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

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References for "Soothing the Inflamed Brain"

1. Chainani-Wu N. "Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa)." J Altern Comp Med. 9, 1:161-8, 2003.2. Surh YJ et al. "Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive activities of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals: down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS through suppression of NF-kappaB activation." Mut Res. 480-481:243-68, 2001.3. Begum AN et al. "Curcumin structure-function, bioavailability, and efficacy in models of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease." J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2008 Jul;326(1):196-208.4. Teather LA et al. " Inhibition of platelet-activating factor receptors in hippocampal plasma membranes attenuates the inflammatory nociceptive response in rats." Brain Res. 2006 Jun 30;1097(1):230-35. Liu WC et al. "Lipopolysaccharide-induced cerebral inflammatory damage and the therapeutic effect of platelet activating factor receptor antagonist." Neurosci Bull. 2007 Sep;23(5):271-6.6. Burnett B. “A Combination Free-B-Ring Flavonoids and Flavan, Anti-Inflammatory Plant Extract Increases Memory and Speed of Processing in Animal and Human Clinical Models” Presented at 12th Annual Conference on Polyphenols, Helsinki, Finland, August 2004.7. MooreME et al. "Evidence that vitamin D3 reverses age-related inflammatory changes in the rat hippocampus." Biochem Soc Trans. 2005 Aug;33(Pt 4):573-7.8. Das UN. "Folic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids improve cognitive function and prevent depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease--but how and why?" Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2008 Jan;78(1):11-9.9. Song C and Horrobin D. "Omega-3 fatty acid ethyl-eicosapentaenoate, but not soybean oil, attenuates memory impairment induced by central IL-1beta administration." J Lipid Res. 2004 Jun;45(6):1112-21.10. Vedin I et al. "Effects of docosahexaenoic acid-rich n-3 fatty acid supplementation on cytokine release from blood mononuclear leukocytes: the OmegAD study." Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;87(6):1616-22.11. Jesudason EP et al. "The protective role of DL-alpha-lipoic acid in biogenic amines catabolism triggered by Abeta amyloid vaccination in mice." Brain Res Bull. 2005 Apr 30;65(4):361-7.