Sesquiterpene lactones are useful in suppressing the early proinflammatory cytokines, and in ameliorating septic shock and other severe inflammatory disorders. Sesquiterpene lactones with an alpha -methylene- gamma -lactone functional group suppress the expression of the inducible cyclooxygenase-2 and proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-1 alpha and beta , IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF alpha )) in mammalian macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. This suppression correlated with the inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation including the mitogen-activated protein kinases.
Use of sesquiterpene lactones for treatment of severe inflammatory disorders