Alpinia oxyphylla Fruit Extract Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis through the Regulation of Th1/Th17 Cells

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6797030 · Published: March 14, 2019

Alternative Medicine Immunology Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential benefits of Alpinia oxyphylla (AO-1), a traditional Chinese medicine, in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) using an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. The results showed that AO-1 significantly reduced EAE symptoms in mice. This suggests that A. oxyphylla has potential for further investigation on the clinical benefits of MS. The study also found that yakuchinone A, a component isolated from AO-1, inhibited IL-17 production in vitro and reduced EAE symptoms in the mice, indicating it as one of the active components.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Female C57BL/6 mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
AO-1 significantly reduced EAE symptoms in mice, as evidenced by decreased EAE scores and attenuated neurological disorders.
2
Histopathological analysis revealed that AO-1 reduced demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, and axonal swelling in the spinal cord of EAE mice.
3
AO-1 treatment resulted in reduced infiltration of CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and CD11b+ monocytes into the spinal cord and brain of EAE mice.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of Alpinia oxyphylla (AO-1) on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice, a model for multiple sclerosis (MS). The results demonstrate that AO-1 ameliorates EAE symptoms, reduces demyelination and inflammation in the spinal cord, and decreases the infiltration of immune cells into the central nervous system. Furthermore, the study identifies yakuchinone A as one active component of AO-1, which inhibits IL-17 production and reduces EAE symptoms in mice.

Practical Implications

Potential MS Treatment

A. oxyphylla warrants further investigation as a potential clinical treatment for multiple sclerosis due to its ameliorative effects on EAE symptoms in mice.

Th1/Th17 Regulation

The study suggests that A. oxyphylla may regulate the Th1/Th17 response, which is crucial in the pathogenesis of MS, indicating a possible mechanism of action.

Yakuchinone A as Therapeutic Agent

Yakuchinone A, isolated from A. oxyphylla, could be further explored as a therapeutic agent for MS due to its ability to inhibit IL-17 production and reduce EAE symptoms.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to an animal model (EAE in mice), and further research is needed to confirm these findings in human clinical trials.
2
The exact mechanisms by which AO-1 and yakuchinone A exert their effects on Th1/Th17 cells and other immune components require further investigation.
3
The study does not fully elucidate all the active chemical constituents in AO-1 that contribute to its biological activity beyond yakuchinone A.

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