Reduction of TNF-a level produced by peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with COVID-19 due to treatment with chamomile ethanolic extract

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Immunoregulation Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: In March 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2019 coronavirus disease as a pandemic. MERS-CoV and influenza can be a valuable resource in the development of therapeutic agents for COVID-19. Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile) is usually useful due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is listed in the pharmacopoeia of 26 countries as a herbal medicine for the treatment of various disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of chamomile to reduce the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.
Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from Covid-19 volunteers (n = 3) and treated with concentrations of 200, 300, 400, and 500 µg/ml ethanolic extract extracted from chamomile aerial parts. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production levels were measured using ELISA method.
Results: Chamomile ethanolic extract (all concentrations) significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in peripheral blood cell cultures of covid-19 patients compared to the untreated group (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed for the first time that chamomile can exert its anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which can be attributed to the compounds of this plant with anti-inflammatory properties. As a potential alternative for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, this plant needs further investigation.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Daneshvar Medicine
Volume 31, Issue 4 - Serial Number 167
November and December 2023
Pages 1-10

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