Ginger blocks the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes [58].
Green and black tea contain the following compounds that inhibit various lipoxygenase enzymes (5-, 12- and 15-LOX) [59]:
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
Epigallocatechin (EGC)
Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG)
Theaflavins found in black tea leaves blocked leukotriene production in animal studies [60].Quercetin (found in capers, red onion, radicchio, kale, buckwheat, dill, and cilantro among others) reduces the release of histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins [69].
Resveratrol (found in the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries) acts as a competitive inhibitor of 5-LOX [71].
In rats, lycopene (found in tomatoes, guava, watermelon, sweet red peppers, grapefruit asparagus, and purple cabbage among others) blocked the production of 5-LOX in macrophages found in the thin layer of tissue that lines the stomach and the prostate [64].Diets high in fish oil fatty acids (EPA; mainly found in salmon, sturgeon, eels, oysters, lobsters, shrimps, and crabs and DHA; mainly found in sardines, salmon, trout, tuna, and shellfish) may have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting 5-LOX in white blood cells (neutrophils and monocytes) [56].
Inflammation and Leukotrienes : Inhibitors & Natural Ways to Block Them
Written by Carlos Tello, PhD (Molecular Biology) | Last updated: September 17, 2020
What Are Leukotrienes?
Leukotrienes are chemical messengers that powerfully activate the immune response. These molecules are formed from the breakdown of arachidonic acid (AA), a fatty acid component of cell membranes that acts as a precursor for a variety of inflammatory chemicals.
More specifically, the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) converts arachidonic acid into leukotriene A4 (LTA4) in white blood cells.
Depending on the enzymes present in the cell, LTA4 is then converted into two main types of leukotrienes:
Leukotriene B4 (LTB4): This type is formed in immune cells with the enzyme LTA4H (neutrophils and monocytes). Its main function is to promote inflammation by activating the production of inflammatory cells (neutrophils) and molecules (cytokines), and recruiting the cells to specific tissues [1].
Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT): In immune cells with the enzyme LTC4 synthase (mast cells and eosinophils), LTA4 is transformed into leukotriene C4. Outside the cells, leukotriene C4 is converted to leukotrienes D4 and E4. These types of leukotrienes tighten the airway muscles and produce excess mucus during allergic reactions [1].
How to Lower Leukotriene Levels
Leukotriene Inhibitors
The most useful strategy to decrease leukotriene production is to reduce the activity of:
Phospholipase A2 (cPLA2 ), the enzyme that releases arachidonic acid from the cell membrane [2]
5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), the enzyme that initiates the leukotriene pathway [2]
FLAP, the activating protein of 5-lipoxygenase [2]
In contrast, the inhibition of LTA4H only reduces leukotriene B4 formation while that of LTC4S (enzyme that makes cysteinyl leukotrienes) only blocks cysteinyl leukotriene production [2].
5-LOX inhibitors include:
Indirubin and hyperforin [3, 4]
The main disadvantage of 5-LOX and FLAP inhibitors is the impaired production of anti-inflammatory compounds (lipoxins and resolvins) [5].
In this respect, blocking LTA4H and LTC4S is preferable.
The first LTA4H inhibitors were:
Bestatin [6]
Captopril [7]
LTC4S inhibitors are rare and inefficient, as is the case for:
Helenalin [8]
Thymoquinone [9]
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
Leukotriene receptor antagonists (also known as leukotriene modifiers) are drugs that block the action of leukotrienes by preventing their binding to their receptors. The main leukotriene B4 antagonists tested in clinical trials are:
Etalocib (LY293111): it blocks leukotriene B4 (BLT1) receptor and deactivates 5-LOX. In a cell-based study, it caused cell death in pancreatic cancer cells. However, it failed to increase progression-free survival in a clinical trial on almost 200 people with lung cancer [10, 11].
CP-105696: this powerful leukotriene B4 receptor (BLT1) blocker successfully reduced the progression of artery hardening in mice [12, 13].
Amelubant (BIIL284): this leukotriene B4 receptor (BLT1) blocker reduced artery hardening in mice. However, in a clinical trial on over 400 people, this drug increased the incidence of serious side effects in those using it as cystic tissue scarring treatment [14, 15].
Moxilubant (CGS-25019C): it is a powerful blocker of the leukotriene B4 receptor (BLT1). In mice, it reduced leukotriene B4-induced ear liquid buildup and low white blood cell levels. However, its performance in a clinical trial on 24 people with COPD was poor [16, 17].
RO5101576: it prevented leukotriene B4-induced lung inflammatory responses in guinea pigs and monkeys, as well as blocking human white blood cell movement [18].
The most widely used leukotriene receptor blockers are those preventing cysteinyl leukotrienes from binding to their receptor CysLT1. The main commercial drugs in this category are montelukast, zafirlukast, and pranlukast.
Montelukast
Allergic rhinitis. Its effects are enhanced by antihistamines [19, 20]
Moderate asthma in adults (including smokers), elderly patients, and children [21, 22, 23, 24]
Aspirin-, exercise- and allergen-induced asthma [25, 26, 27]
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [28, 29]
Zafirlukast
Improves nasal airflow in people with allergic rhinitis and reduces nose stuffiness in those allergic to cats [30, 31].
Reduces excessive airway tightening caused by exercise and moderate asthma in long-term trials [32, 33, 34]
Reduces inflammation in people with allergic asthma by reducing the influx of white blood cells into the airways and decreasing macrophage (immune cells that capture and digest foreign and harmful material) activation [35]
Improves lung function by widening the airways in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in smokers [36, 37]
Pranlukast
Moderate and severe asthma in people who are not being treated with oral steroids [38, 39]
Airway inflammation in people treated with oral corticosteroids [40]
Some drugs reduce inflammation and block the immune response by directly inhibiting the binding of leukotrienes to their receptors. We strongly recommend against using any of these drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
Natural Ways to Block Leukotrienes
Some natural substances have been found to reduce leukotriene production in animals and cells. However, whether they may help with inflammatory conditions triggered by these molecules in humans remains unknown. If you want to use these compounds as a supportive measure, talk to your doctor to avoid any unexpected interactions.
These plant compounds (alkaloids) blocked the formation of leukotrienes and prostaglandins in cell-based studies:
Berbamine (found in barberries) [41]
Tetrandrine (found in the Chinese medical herb Stephania tetrandra) [41]
These plant pigments (flavonoids) blocked 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), the enzyme that initiates the leukotriene pathway, in cell-based studies:
Velutin (found in the pink banana) [42]
Galangin (found in honey and the herb lesser galangal) [42]
Chrysin (found in honey, propolis, honeycomb, passion flowers, and Oroxylum indicum) [42]
Aloe vera’s component, alprogen, prevented the formation of mast cells (white blood cells that participate in allergic reactions) in guinea pigs, thereby preventing leukotriene release [43].
Artonin E (a compound from the root bark of Artocarpus elasticus) effectively blocked 5-LOX purified from pig white cells [44].
Boswellia (frankincense) blocks leukotriene production. Therefore, it can reduce and prevent inflammation in many chronic inflammatory diseases like asthma [45].
Butterbur compounds (isopetasin and oxopetasan esters) prevented the production of leukotrienes in cell-based studies [46].
Caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), the active component of honeybee propolis extract, blocks 5-LOX activity and the release of arachidonic acid. In rats, it reduced the production of leukotrienes after stroke [47, 48].
In a cell-based study, capsaicin (found in peppers) and curcumin reduced the conversion of arachidonic into leukotrienes B4 (capsaicin by 46%; curcumin by 61%) and C4 (capsaicin, 48%; curcumin, 34%) in rat macrophages [49].
Curcumin inhibited 5-LOX in rat white blood cells, which prevented the production of leukotrienes. In mice, this compound inhibited the formation of leukotriene C4 and PGD2 [50, 51, 52].
A compound in double palm (dammarane triterpenoid 1) triggered cell death in pancreatic and prostate cancer cells in part by inhibiting 5-LOX [53].
The root of Dystaenia takeshimana contains numerous compounds that inhibited 5-LOX in cell-based studies, namely the coumarins:
Psoralen [54]
Xanthotoxin [54]
Scopoletin [54]
Umbelliferone [54]
Marmesin [54]
and the flavonoids:
Apigenin [54]芹菜素
Luteolin [54]木犀草素
Cynaroside [54]肉桂苷
A component of fruits from the citrus family (Rutaceae), goshuyuamide II, inhibits leukotriene B4 production by inhibiting 5-LOX [55].
柑橘科（芸香科）果实的一种成分goshuyuamide II通过抑制5-LOX来抑制白三烯B4的产生[55]。
Diets high in fish oil fatty acids (EPA; mainly found in salmon, sturgeon, eels, oysters, lobsters, shrimps, and crabs and DHA; mainly found in sardines, salmon, trout, tuna, and shellfish) may have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting 5-LOX in white blood cells (neutrophils and monocytes) [56].
Garcinol (found in kokum -Garcinia indica-) blocks leukotriene B4 production [57].
Ginger blocks the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes [58].
Green and black tea contain the following compounds that inhibit various lipoxygenase enzymes (5-, 12- and 15-LOX) [59]:
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
Epigallocatechin (EGC)
Epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG)
Theaflavins found in black tea leaves blocked leukotriene production in animal studies [60].
The following compounds from American witch hazel potently inhibited 5-LOX in cell-based studies:
Hamamelitannin [61]
Galloylated proanthocyanidins [61]
Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), a traditional Chinese prescription with anti-inflammatory properties, contains the extracts of:
Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis): Its compounds baicalein and baicalin powerfully block 5-LOX [62]
Coptis Root (Rhizoma coptidis): Its compound coptisine shows moderate blocking of the enzyme that makes leukotriene B4 (LTA4H) [63].
In rats, lycopene (found in tomatoes, guava, watermelon, sweet red peppers, grapefruit asparagus, and purple cabbage among others) blocked the production of 5-LOX in macrophages found in the thin layer of tissue that lines the stomach and the prostate [64].
The plant hormone methyl jasmonate triggered cell death in human prostate cancer cells by inhibiting 5-LOX [65].
In rat white blood cells, treatment with plant-derived oleanolic acid inhibited leukotriene B4 production [66].
This fatty acid, together with ursolic acid, contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity of the medicinal plant Helichrysum picardii in part by inhibiting 5-LOX [67].
Pygeum africanum extract inhibits the byproducts of the 5-LOX enzyme [68].
Quercetin (found in capers, red onion, radicchio, kale, buckwheat, dill, and cilantro among others) reduces the release of histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins [69].
Other compounds acting as potent inhibitors of 5-LOX include:
Kaempferol (found in apples, grapes, tomatoes, green tea, potatoes, onion, and broccoli among others) [70]
Morin (found in Osage orange, old fustic, and common guava) [70]
Myricetin (found in Japanese raisin tree and vine tea extracts, parsley, cranberries, broad beans, and blueberries) [70].
Resveratrol (found in the skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries) acts as a competitive inhibitor of 5-LOX [71].
Stemona species’ alkaloids block leukotriene formation:
Pinosylvin [72]
Dihydropinosylvin [72]
Stilbostemin A, B, D, F, and G [72]
Stemofuran B, C, D, G, and J [72]
Stemanthrene A, B, C, and D [72]
Thymoquinone (found in black cumin seed) showed 5-LOX and LTC4S (enzyme that makes cysteinyl leukotrienes)-inhibitory activity in human blood cells [9].
Triptolide (found in the Chinese herb thunder god vine -Tripterygium wilfordii-) exerts its anti-pancreatic cancer activity by blocking the leukotriene pathway [73].Leukotrienes: Inhibitors & Natural Ways to Block Them - SelfHacked
https://selfhacked.com/blog/leukotrienes-inhibitors/
Arachidonic Acid Derivatives and Inflammation
Cyclooxygenase Pathway
In the cyclooxygenase pathway, cyclooxygenases (COX1 and COX2) and other enzymes convert arachidonic acid into different types of prostaglandins [78, 79, 80].
The Cyclooxygenase Pathway [81]
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is produced following exposure to allergens. Its main functions include:
Smooth muscle contraction [82]
Widening of blood vessels [83]
Enhanced responses to histamine [84]
Promotion of the migration and activation of white blood cells [85, 86, 87]
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2):
Causes the main inflammatory symptoms (redness, swelling, and pain) [88]
Generates fever [89]
Accelerates wound healing [90]
Maintains blood vessel tone [91]
Promotes the migration and maturation of Th17 white blood cell [92]
Suppresses the production of inflammatory molecules (cytokines) [93, 94]
Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α):
Tightens the smooth muscles of the blood vessels and bronchi. It is involved in short-term and chronic inflammation. People with arthritis have high levels of this prostaglandin [95, 96, 97, 98]
Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2):
Widens blood vessels [99]
Causes fluid buildup and pain in inflamed tissues [100]
Accelerates wound healing in the blood vessels [101]
Promotes inflammation in some conditions (rheumatoid arthritis) while reducing it in others (lung vessel diseases, artery hardening) [102]
Thromboxane A2 (TXA2):
Promotes the clumping together of platelets [103, 104]
Causes smooth muscle contraction [103, 104]
Activates inflammatory responses [103, 104]
Arachidonic acid can be made into leukotrienes, prostaglandins, or thromboxane A2.
Interaction between Leukotrienes and Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes can interact with prostaglandins in many ways during inflammation or injury. They can either block each other’s production and effects or enhance them.
Antagonistic (opposing) interactions:
Prostaglandin E2 blocks the release of cysteinyl leukotrienes from white blood cells [105, 106].
Prostaglandins E1 and E2 inhibit the production of leukotriene B4 [107].
Leukotrienes and prostaglandin E2 have opposing effects in promoting and preventing phagocytosis (cell engulfing) by white blood cells [108].
Synergistic (working together) interactions:
Leukotriene E4 increases the production of prostaglandin D2 [109].
Prostaglandin D2 enhances leukotriene C4 production [110].
The combination of leukotriene E4 and prostaglandin D2 enhances Th2 cytokine production [111, 112].
Leukotriene D4 and prostaglandin E2 increase blood vessel inflammation and prostaglandin D2 production by mast cells [113].
The combination of cysteinyl leukotrienes and TXA2 in the nose increase nose stuffiness [114].
Leukotriene E4 enhances the effects of prostaglandin D2 in activating cytokine production by a type of white blood cells (ILC2s) in people with asthma [115].
Leukotrienes interact with prostaglandins in a number of ways. They can either block each other’s effects or enhance them during inflammation or injury.
Takeaway
Leukotrienes are compounds made from arachidonic acid which activate the immune and inflammatory responses. Excess leukotrienes may promote an unhealthy inflammatory reaction; some anti-allergic medication targets leukotrienes, and many drugs are currently in development to either block leukotriene production or binding to their receptors. The main drugs currently available to block leukotriene binding are montelukast, zafirlukast, and pranlukast.
Some natural compounds may block either the production of leukotrienes or their binding to their receptors. These include active compounds from plants such as aloe, butterbur, black cumin, and boswellia, as well as the well known antioxidant resveratrol.
Certain genetic variants may also change the way each individual person produces and reacts to leukotrienes. In addition, because arachidonic acid can be used to make leukotrienes or prostaglandins, these two families of compounds have complex interactions with one another.Leukotrienes: Inhibitors & Natural Ways to Block Them - SelfHacked
https://selfhacked.com/blog/leukotrienes-inhibitors/
Oleanolic acid protects against mast cell-mediated allergic responses by suppressing Akt/NF-κB and STAT1 activation
Background
Oleanolic acid (OA) is an active compound found in a variety of medicinal herbs and plants. Though OA has been widely attributed with a variety of biological activities, studies focused on its anti-allergic inflammation properties are insufficient.
Purpose
Given the rapid increase in allergic diseases and the lack of fundamental treatment options, this study aimed to find a safe and effective therapy for allergic disorders.
Methods
We evaluated the inhibitory effect of OA on allergic inflammatory response and the possible mechanisms underlying the effect using phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cell (HMC)-1, and a mouse model of compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock.
Results
OA suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions in PMACI-induced HMC-1 cells by inhibiting activation of the Akt, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 signaling pathways. Moreover, OA showed a protective effect against compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock through inhibition of histamine release and immunoglobulin E level via regulation of NF-κB and STAT1 activation.
Conclusion
The results showed that OA suppressed mast cell-mediated allergic response by transcriptional regulation. We suggest that OA has potential effect against allergic inflammatory disorders, including anaphylaxis, and might be a useful therapeutic agent for allergic disease.Oleanolic acid protects against mast cell-mediated allergic responses by suppressing Akt/NF-κB and STAT1 activation - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711320301720