Chamomile: An ancient pain remedy and a modern gout relief - A hypothesis

Abstract

Matricaria chamomilla (MC) is a well-known medicinal plant. In the present paper, the researchers intended to focus on the possible anti-inflammatory pharmacological mechanisms of MC preparations in the treatment of gouty arthritis and the constituents of MC responsible for its effects. The medicinal preparations of MC are composed of several classes of biologically active compounds with an inhibitory effect on inflammation including essential oils and flavonoids. Apigenin, quercetin and luteolin are flavonoids, which exhibit their anti-inflammatory effects via different mechanisms. Apigenin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines production. Luteolin suppresses production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E-2 and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 - which are all associated with inflammatory responses. In addition, Luteolin along with quercetin, inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme. There are also additional components of the MC preparations which play a role in its anti-inflammatory action via other pathways. The mentioned mechanisms are in accordance with the authors's concept that MC can alleviate inflammation in gouty arthritis.