Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting men, generally after the age of 50. The prevalence of this multifactorial disease increases with age. With aging, the plasma level of testosterone decreases, as well as the testosterone/estrogen ratio, resulting in increased estrogen activity, which may facilitate the hyperplasia of the prostate cells. Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the activity of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. In older men, the activity of this enzyme increases, leading to a decreased testosterone/DHT ratio. DHT may promote prostate cell growth, resulting in hyperplasia. Some medicinal plants and their compounds act by modulating this enzyme, and have the above-mentioned targets. This review focuses on herbal drugs that are most widely used in the treatment of BPH, including pumpkin seed, willow herb, tomato, maritime pine bark, Pygeum africanum bark, rye pollen, saw palmetto fruit, and nettle root, highlighting the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as safety issues. In addition, the pharmaceutical care and other therapeutic options of BPH, including pharmacotherapy and surgical options, are discussed, summarizing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common Gram-negative bacterium associated with nosocomial respiratory infections. Lavender essential oil is mainly used in aromatherapy, but it has several pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Furthermore, it possesses antifungal and antibacterial activities. The anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils may depend on the composition and the ratio of the compounds. The constitution of the essential oils extracted from the different stages of flowering period varies, which makes it plausible that the collection time of the flowers influences the anti-inflammatory effects. Different types of essential oils reduce inflammation acting similarly by modulating the activity and action of the NFκB signalling pathway, which is the major regulator of the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods: Lavender essential oils were distilled from lavender plant cultivated in Hungary and the flowers were harvested at the beginning and at the end of flowering period. The experiments were carried out on THP-1 human monocyte/macrophage cell line as in vitro cell culture model for monitoring the effects of lavender essential oils and the main compound linalool on P. aeruginosa LPS stimulated inflammation. The mRNA and protein levels of four pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8 and TNFα were determined by Real Time PCR and ELISA measurements. The effects of essential oils were compared to the response to two NFκB inhibitors, luteolin and ACHP. Results: Linalool and lavender essential oil extracted from plants at the beginning of flowering period were successful in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production following LPS pretreatment. In case of IL-8 and IL-1β lavender oil showed stronger effect compared to linalool and both of them acted similarly to NFκB inhibitors. Pretreatments with linalool and lavender essential oil/beginning of flowering period prevented pro-inflammatory cytokine production compared to LPS treatment alone. Although lavender essential oil/end of flowering period decreased IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 mRNA expression in case of LPS pretreatment, it was not capable to reduce cytokine secretion. Conclusion: Based on our results it has been proven that lavender essential oil extracted at the beginning of flowering period is a potent inhibitor of the synthesis of four pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-β and TNFα of THP-1 cells. This supports the relevance of the collection of the lavender flowers from early blooming period for essential oil production and for the utilization as an anti-inflammatory treatment.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil (TEO) is widely used as an alternative therapy especially for infections of the upper respiratory tract. TEO possesses antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The emerging antibiotic resistance of bacterial strains, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has prompted the urge to find alternative treatments. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of thymol, the main compound of TEO, and two TEOs prepared at the beginning and at the end of the flowering period that may make these oils promising candidates as complementary or alternative therapies against P. aeruginosa infections. The activity measurements of the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (PX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the determination of total antioxidant capacity of P. aeruginosa-activated THP-1 cells revealed that thymol and both TEOs increased CAT and SOD activity as well as the antioxidant capacity of the THP-1 cells. The measurements of the proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression and secreted protein level of LPS-activated THP-1 cells showed that from the two TEOs, only TEO prepared at the beginning of the flowering period acted as a potent inhibitor of the synthesis of IL-6, IL-8, IL-β, and TNF-α. Our results suggest that not only thymol, but also the synergism or the antagonistic effects of the additional compounds of the essential oils are responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of TEOs.

Background: Interstitial cystitis (IC) has a chronic chemical irritation and inflammation of non-bacterial origin in the bladder wall leading to various severe symptoms. There is evidence that chronic inflammation is significantly associated with abnormal urothelial barrier function, epithelial dysfunction. This is the underlying cause of urothelial apoptosis and sterile inflammation. Method: The anti-inflammatory effects of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils (EOs) and their main components (linalool and eucalyptol) were investigated in the T24 human bladder epithelial cell line on TNFα stimulated inflammation, at 3 types of treatment schedule. The mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) were measured by Real Time PCR. Human IL-8 ELISA measurement was performed as well at 3 types of treatment schedule. The effects of lavender and eucalyptus EOs and their main components were compared to the response to NFκB inhibitor ACHP (2-amino-6-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-6-hydroxyphenyl]-4-(4-piperidinyl)-3-pyridinecarbonitrile). Result: There is no significant difference statistically, but measurements show that lavender EOs are more effective than eucalyptus EO. Long time treatment (24 h) of both lavender EO and linalool showed higher effect in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression than ACHP inhibitor following TNFα pre-treatment. Moreover, both lavender EOs were found to be significantly more effective in decreasing IL-8 secretion of T24 cells after TNFα pre-treatment compared to the ACHP NFκB-inhibitor. Conclusion: The lavender EOs may be suitable for use as an adjunct to intravesical therapy of IC. Their anti-inflammatory effect could well complement glycosaminoglycan-regenerative therapy in the urinary bladder after appropriate pharmaceutical formulation.

The prevalence of chronic venous disease (CVD) is relatively high, it affects 20-80 % of the population worldwide. CVD may affect any veins in the human body, however, the veins of the lower extremities are the most susceptible to this condition. Among therapeutic possibilities for CVD, mainly chronic venous insufficiency, some medicinal plants (Ruscus aculeatus L., Aesculus hippocastanum L., Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.) and their active compounds (ruscoside, aescin, asiaticoside) or close derivatives also have important places. This review describes shortly the updated knowledge on pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and diagnostics of CVD as well as treatment modalities. The primary focus of this review is on the existing knowledge about botanical medications for treating chronic venous disease (CVD). It covers the chemical makeup of these plant drugs, their pharmacological effects, results from clinical trials involving humans, and any associated safety concerns.

Iron constitutes an essential micronutrient in living organisms. All iron is absorbed into the body through dietary intake, except for exogenous therapeutic sources. Dietary iron is typically categorized as either heme or nonheme iron. Nonheme iron is essential for regulating iron in the body, as it exists in various forms, including soluble iron, storage iron within ferritin, and iron found in the catalytic centers of a wide range of proteins. Iron homeostasis is carefully managed to ensure that sufficient iron is available for critical biological processes while preventing the harmful effects that can arise from excess iron. The small peptide hormone hepcidin is the main regulator of iron homeostasis. Hepcidin and other iron regulatory molecules are regulated by various signaling pathways, such as IL-6/JAK-STAT, BMP/SMAD, and MAPK. Alterations in regulatory pathways may occur in response to iron accumulation or deficiency. Iron overload in the body can activate JAK/STAT, BMP/SMAD and MAPK pathways, leading to the initiation hepcidin synthesis. Conversely, in iron deficiency, as in hypoxic conditions or EPO-mediated signaling pathways, HAMP synthesis in the nucleus is reduced. Thus, this review provides an update on the possible regulatory pathways that play a role in iron regulation and may be potential therapeutic targets.