Abstract

Jordan Estes , Benjamin Coe , Joe Ann McCoy , Chris Okunji , Chishimba Nathan Mowa

Every minute approximately 1,400 babies are born prematurely world-wide and over 100 of these infants die. Causally, premature births are largely caused by infection-induced inflammation and current treatments are either unsafe or ineffective. Here, we test use of natural products [Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, root extract] (EP) with anti-bacterial and inflammatory activities and a long history of safe use to attenuate induction of inflammation in the cervix. Studies using three different complementary models, that is, non-pregnant in vivo, non-pregnant ex vivo and preterm labor models, were conducted. We also sought to decipher mechanisms likely to mediate EP’s anti-inflammatory activities by blocking the activity of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). Tissues were harvested and evaluated using real time-PCR, Western blot and/or histology. Here, we compare the suitability of the three models and show that EP attenuates the activity of the master inflammation transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) (phosphorylated), and expression of select pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with inflammation-induced preterm labor. We also show that HO-1 may mediate EP anti-inflammatory activities in the cervix. These findings are significant as they provide important data that could potentially lead to the development of natural strategies for modulating infection-induced preterm labor.