Immulina^®, a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide extract from the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) is a potent activator of innate immune cells. On the other hand, it is well documented that Spirulina exerts anti-inflammatory effects and showed promising effects with respect to the relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms. Taking into account these findings, we decided to elucidate whether Immulina^®, and immunLoges^® (a commercial available multicomponent nutraceutical with Immulina^® as a main ingredient) beyond immune-enhancing effects, might also exert inhibitory effects in the induced allergic inflammatory response and on histamine release from RBL-2H3 mast cells. Our findings show that Immulina^® and immunLoges^® inhibited the IgE-antigen complex-induced production of TNF-α, IL-4, leukotrienes and histamine. The compound 48/80 stimulated histamine release in RBL-2H3 cells was also inhibited. Taken together, our results showed that Immulina^® and immunLoges^® exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and inhibited the release of histamine from mast cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Indeed, immunotherapy blocking these 2 cytokines has been developed. Micro-immunotherapy (MI) also uses ultra-low doses (ULD) of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impregnated on lactose-sucrose pillules, to counteract their overexpression. The study has been conducted with 2 objectives: examine the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and the capacity of 2 unitary medicines, TNF-α (27 CH) and IL-1β (27 CH), to reduce the secretion of TNF-α in human primary monocytes and THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure; then, investigate the presence of particles possibly containing starting materials using tunable resistive pulse sensing technique. The results show that the unitary medicines, tested at 3 pillules concentrations (5.5, 11 and 22 mM), have reduced the secretion of TNF-α in both models by about 10−20% vs. vehicle control, depending on concentration. In this exploratory study, particles (150−1000 nm) have been detected in MI ULD-impregnated pillules and a hypothesis for MI medicines mode of action has been proposed. Conscious that more evaluations are necessary, authors are cautious in the conclusions because the findings described in the study are still limited, and future investigations may lead to different hypothesis.

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damages as well as pain and disability. In order to prevent disease progression, reduce pain, and major symptoms of RA, one good strategy consists in targeting proinflammatory cytokines that have the key role in the vicious circle of synovial inflammation and pain. The micro-immunotherapy medicine (MIM) 2LARTH® targets cytokines involved in inflammation. Aim. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the MIM compared to vehicle in an in vivo model of RA, induced in mice after immunization with articular bovine type II collagen. Methods. Vehicle and MIM were dissolved in pure water (1 capsule in 100 ml) and 100 µl was given by gavage daily for 14 days. To evaluate the severity of arthritis, wrist and ankle thickness was determined, paw edema was measured, and a clinical score from 0 to 4 was established. Furthermore, histological analysis was performed. To evaluate systemic inflammation, circulating levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Results. Ankle thickness was found to be significantly reduced in MIM-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated mice (P<0.05) and compared to untreated me (P<0.01). Paw edema was reduced, as well as clinical score attributed to MIM-treated mice in comparison with vehicle-treated mice and untreated CIA mice (P<0.01). In line with these results, histological analysis confirmed that MIM reduced inflammation and joint destruction in comparison to controls. No significant changes were found in plasmatic IL-1β levels between CIA and controls, while the levels of TNF-α significantly increased in the CIA group, and were lowered in MIM-treated mice (P<0.05 vs. vehicle and vs. CIA). Conclusion. The results indicate that the tested medicine reduces inflammation, histological, and clinical signs of RA in a CIA model.

A main traditional use of European Leonurus cardiaca and East Asian Leonurus japonicus is in the treatment of neurological disorders such as anxiety, depression, nervousness, and as a sedative for insomnia. However, their mechanism of action is still under discussion. As anxiety and depressive disorders are increasingly being recognized as connected to dysfunctions of the gamma-aminobutyric acid system, the in vitro effects of standardized L. cardiaca and L japonicus extracts as well as five of their isolated constituents, namely, the labdane-type isoleosibirin, the novel iridoid 7R-chloro-6-desoxy-harpagide, the phenylethanoid lavandulifolioside, and the N-containing compounds stachydrine and leonurine, on this type of neuronal receptor were investigated for the first time. Extracts of L. cardiaca and L. japonicus, characterized by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography determination, as well as their above named isolated, possible active constituents of different chemical nature were tested in several receptor binding assays at rat GABA_A receptors using [³H]-SR95 531 and [³H]-Ro-15–1788 (flumazenil)/diazepam control. The L. cardiaca and L. japonicus extracts as well as leonurine inhibited the concentration-dependent binding of [³H]-SR95 531 to the gamma-aminobutyric acid site of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor with a high binding affinity: IC₅₀s 21 µg/ml, 46 µg/ml, and 15 µg/ml, respectively. In contrast, binding to the benzodiazepine site of the rat gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor had a 15 to 30 times lower binding affinity than to the gamma-aminobutyric acid site. The presented experiments provide hints that the neurological mechanism of action of L. cardiaca and L. japonicus may essentially be based on their interaction to the gamma-aminobutyric acid site of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor, while the benzodiazepine site most probably does not contribute to this effect. In the case of L. japonicus, these effects can be at least partially explained by its leonurine constituent, whereas the active principle of L. cardiaca, which does not contain leonurine, is subject to further research as none of the other investigated individual constituents displayed significant activity in the applied test system. ^* Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Drs. h. c. Adolf Nahrstedt, Münster, on the occasion of his 75th birthday. His earlier report [1] was an essential inspiration for the research project presented in the paper at hand.

Women during hormonal transitional phases present an increase in mood disturbances. Recently, purified and specific cytoplasmic pollen extract (PureCyTonin®), a natural non-hormonal alternative, has proven to be effective to treat symptoms during perimenopause, and menopause especially vasomotor ones. However, its effects on mood disturbances still need further study. To investigate the potential in vitro effects of the pollen extract on dopaminergic and GABAergic systems in order to be proposed as an alternative to treat symptomatic midlife women and other brain-related symptoms. In vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of pollen extract on dopamine and GABA uptake, as well as GABA_A and dopamine D_2S receptor binding. Pollen extract inhibited both dopamine and GABA uptake in a concentration-dependent manner (mean IC₅₀ = 79.5 µg/mL and 137 µg/mL, respectively). It also displaced [³H]-muscimol from GABA_A receptors, suggesting potential allosteric modulation. Contrary to this, pollen extract showed moderate affinity for D_2S receptors (≥1000 µg/mL). These mechanisms might enhance neurotransmitter tone in hormone-sensitive brain regions. Purified and specific pollen extract modulates dopaminergic and GABAergic systems in vitro and help restore neurochemical balance across hormonal transitions, supporting its non-hormonal beneficial role in managing mood, sleep, and somatic symptoms with a safety profile. There is a need for further research in this regard in the clinical setting.