Browsing by Author "Sosmitha Girisa"

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COVID-19, cytokines, inflammation, and spices: How are they related?
(Elsevier Inc., 2021) Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara; Varsha Rana; Dey Parama; Kishore Banik; Sosmitha Girisa; Sahu Henamayee; Krishan Kumar Thakur; Uma Dutta; Prachi Garodia; Subash C. Gupta; Bharat B. Aggarwal
Background: Cytokine storm is the exaggerated immune response often observed in viral infections. It is also intimately linked with the progression of COVID-19 disease as well as associated complications and mortality. Therefore, targeting the cytokine storm might help in reducing COVID-19-associated health complications. The number of COVID-19 associated deaths (as of January 15, 2021; https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/) in the USA is high (1199/million) as compared to countries like India (110/million). Although the reason behind this is not clear, spices may have some role in explaining this difference. Spices and herbs are used in different traditional medicines, especially in countries such as India to treat various chronic diseases due to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim: To evaluate the literature available on the anti-inflammatory properties of spices which might prove beneficial in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 associated cytokine storm. Method: A detailed literature search has been conducted on PubMed for collecting information pertaining to the COVID-19; the history, origin, key structural features, and mechanism of infection of SARS-CoV-2; the repurposed drugs in use for the management of COVID-19, and the anti-inflammatory role of spices to combat COVID-19 associated cytokine storm. Key findings: The literature search resulted in numerous in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials that have reported the potency of spices to exert anti-inflammatory effects by regulating crucial molecular targets for inflammation. Significance: As spices are derived from Mother Nature and are inexpensive, they are relatively safer to consume. Therefore, their anti-inflammatory property can be exploited to combat the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. This review thus focuses on the current knowledge on the role of spices for the treatment of COVID-19 through suppression of inflammation-linked cytokine storm. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.
Inflammation, nf-κb, and chronic diseases: How are they linked?
(Begell House Inc., 2020) Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara; Bano Shabnam; Sosmitha Girisa; Choudhary Harsha; Kishore Banik; Th. Babita Devi; Ruplekha Choudhury; Henamayee Sahu; Dey Parama; Bethsebie L. Sailo; Krishan Kumar Thakur; Subash C. Gupta; Bharat B. Aggarwal
Most chronic diseases, caused by lifestyle factors, appear to be linked to inflammation. Inflammation is activated mechanistically, and nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB) is a significant mediator. NF-κB, one of the most studied transcription factors, was first identified in the nucleus of B lymphocytes almost three decades ago. This protein has a key function in regulating the human immune system, and its dysregulation has been linked to many chronic diseases including asthma, cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, and neurological disorders. Physiologically, many cytokines have been discovered that activate NF-κB. Pathologically, environmental carcinogens such as cigarette smoke, radiation, bacteria, and viruses can also activate this transcription factor. NF-κB activation controls expression of more than 500 genes, and most are deleterious to the human body when dysregulated. More than 70,000 articles have been published regarding NF-κB. This review emphasizes the upside and downside of NF-κB in normal and disease conditions and the ways in which we can control this critical transcription factor in patients. © 2020 by Begell House, Inc. www.begellhouse.com.
Upside and downside of tumor necrosis factor blockers for treatment of immune/inflammatordiseases
(Begell House Inc., 2019) Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara; Krishan Kumar Thakur; Varsha Rana; Bidisha Bora; Kishore Banik; Elina Khatoon; Bethsebie L. Sailo; Bano Shabnam; Sosmitha Girisa; Subhash C. Gupta; Bharat B. Aggarwal
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, the most potent proinflammatory cytokine discovered to date, was first isolated in 1984 from human macrophage cells. Initially, it was thought to be a protein that was cytotoxic to tumor cells. But later, it was regarded as an agent that promotes inflammation and other chronic diseases found in humans. Currently, we know that the TNF superfamily (TNFS) has 19 members that perform a wide variety of functions via > 40 TNF receptors. Of TNFS members, TNF-α has been studied extensively and was found to be implicated in numerous autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and diabetes. Thus, agents that can inhibit TNF-α have great potential for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved many TNF-α blockers, such as etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab. These agents can block TNF-α actions and be used to treat different diseases. However, the uses of TNF-α blockers are not without serious adverse effects. Therefore, natural TNF-α blockers are best for developing safe, efficacious, and affordable agents for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The current review details the TNFS, functions of TNF-α in normal and disease conditions, roles of TNF-α blockers, and advantages and disadvantages. © 2019 by Begell House.