Zeitschrift für klinische und zelluläre Immunologie
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Chronic Diseases Caused by Chronic Inflammation Require Chronic Treatment: Anti-inflammatory Role of Dietary Spices

Sahdeo Prasad and Bharat B. Aggarwal

Noncommunicable chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases are becoming the leading cause of death throughout the world. Unhealthy diet, smoking, lack of exercise, stress, radiation exposure, and environmental pollution are among the common causes of chronic diseases. Most of these risk factors are closely linked to chronic inflammation, which leads to the development of various chronic diseases. Diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, fiber, and certain spices have been shown to suppress chronic inflammation and prevent the development of chronic diseases. In this review we discuss the evidence for the molecular basis of inflammation and how inflammation mediates most chronic diseases. We also present clinical and experimental models showing the molecular effects of selected spices and spice-derived nutraceuticals such as cardamonin, curcumin, capsaicin, gingerol, thymoquinone, and piperine on these inflammatory pathways and the potential role of nutraceuticals in preventing chronic diseases.