Like a conductor of a symphony orchestra, cortisone regulates energy metabolism by accelerating protein breakdown, mobilizing energy reserves for the demanding tasks of the animal's day. It also regulates water and electrolyte balances and controls cell division and immune responses. Nevertheless, cortisone is often attributed with bad factors. Here, you will learn why and what alternatives there are to cortisone.
Cortisone belongs to the steroid hormone group, a group of glucocorticoids. As such, it is an endogenous hormone synthesized in the adrenal cortex. Cortisone is an oxidation product of cortisol and is both irreplaceable and amazingly versatile in the everyday tasks of the body.
These tasks include energy metabolism, accelerating protein breakdown and allowing thereby the mobilization of energy reserves. This results in increased blood sugar levels and fat release. Cortisone can also influence the water and electrolyte balance and has an inhibitory effect on cell division as well as on immunological and allergic processes in the organism.
Cortisone specifically affects glucocorticoid-induced-leucine zipper protein, or GILZ. Glucocorticoids can have a positive effect on the transcription of these proteins, leading to their increase. The leucine zippers form a class of proteins that bind to a specific site on the DNA and regulate transcription. Cortisone has anti-inflammatory effects at various levels.
The main advantages are the rapid onset and broad spectrum of action. It is impressing with its various possible applications: It can be used locally for skin inflammations and systemically, for example, for lung diseases.
Just like every superhero, cortisone has its kryptonite: prolonged cortisone administration can lead to systemic side effects. The individual characteristics of the patient, the length of application, and the amount of cortisone administered are crucial factors. Side effects in the form of nervousness and dizziness may occur less frequently with short-term cortisone administration. Due to the effect of cortisone on numerous metabolic processes, long-term systemic administration may cause side effects.
Possible side effects of systemic cortisone administration:
Boswellia serrata
These pathological changes can often be reduced or circumvented by dose reduction or alternative therapy. To avoid these disorders, cortisone should be administered in sufficient amounts in the short term, low doses in the long term, and then gradually phased out in accordance to the disorders treated.
Fortunately, there are alternatives that can help veterinarians minimize or avoid the side effects of cortisone.
The frankincense tree belongs to the genus Boswellia. The resins of the species Boswellia serrata, carteri and frereana are used in medicine thanks to their effect on inflammatory reactions.
Curcumae longae rhizoma
Effective ingredients in the resin of Boswellia: + Monoterpenes + Diterpenes + Triterpenes + Tetracyclic triterpenic acids + Pentacyclic triterpenic acids
The four most important pentacyclic triterpenic acids include beta-boswellic acid, acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid – all of which have anti-inflammatory effects. The latter, acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, in particular since it inhibits 5-lipooxygenase, which is involved in the synthesis of leukotrienes. Another point is the inhibitory effect of COX-1, which influences prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Boswellic acids can also reduce pro-inflammatory activity by inhibiting proteases, especially cathepsin G.
The dominant effect of frankincense extracts is anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is characterized by the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. With the help of frankincense, These processes can be inhibited with frankincense, whose principle of action is similar to that of cortisone. The bioavailability of the efficacy-determining boswellic acids is significantly improved by the simultaneous intake of oil. In addition, a sufficiently high dosage as well as a proven quality is required for the effectivity of frankincense.
Turmeric (Curcumae longae rhizoma) belongs to the ginger family and is a rhizome shrub that grows up to one meter high. Medicinally relevant is mainly the rhizome of the turmeric plant, which contains curuminoids. The majority of curuminoids is the component curcumin (diferuloymetane), to which the following effects are attributed.
Effects of curuminoids: + Anti-inflammatory + Antioxidant + Antiproliferative + Hypoglycemic + Lipid-lowering + Antithrombotic + Anticoagulant
The active compound in turmeric is curcumin. Its effect is based on influencing mononuclear cells such as macrophages and inhibiting various signal transmissions. By increasing the availability of a protein, curcumin can exert its anti-inflammatory effect. Just like cortisone, it specifically affects the protein GILZ (glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper). This protein is an anti-inflammatory mediator whose effects rely on inhibition of several transcription factors associated with inflammation in macrophages. These include, for example, transcription factors NF-kB and activator protein-1. During inflammation, GILZ is degraded, causing an increased immune response; by increasing the GILZ present, these processes are diminished. Furthermore, GILZ serves as a negative regulator of MAPK signaling, reducing numerous signaling pathways involved in an inflammatory event, such as cell growth and differentiation. Additionally, curcumin can decrease the amount of proinflammatory M1 macrophages as well as increase the number of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages.
Curcumin also has an inhibitory effect on COX-2, lipoxygenases, glutathione S-transferase, and nitric oxide synthase, among others, thus negatively affecting the expression of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines such as interferons, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-12.
In addition, no dose-limiting toxicity has been observed, so it can be assumed that turmeric is pharmacologically safe.
Applications of frankincense and turmeric - inflammatory events: + Inflammatory and neurological diseases + Chronic polyarthritis + Osteoarthritis/arthritis + Viral infections + Abscesses + Cardiovascular diseases + Dermatitis
Frankincense and turmeric are a potential alternative to glucocorticoids, without the undesirable side effects of cortisone, if the extracts are of sufficient dosage and quality.
To conclude, although cortisone is a powerful superhero in the animal body, its side effects should be considered with care before application. By combining cortisone with its natural alternatives, we can get the best of both worlds and provide our patients with the best possible care.
Like a conductor of a symphony orchestra, cortisone regulates energy metabolism by accelerating protein breakdown, mobilizing energy reserves for the demanding tasks of the animal's day. It also regulates water and electrolyte balances and controls cell division and immune responses. Nevertheless, cortisone is often attributed with bad factors. Here, you will learn why and what alternatives there are to cortisone.
Cortisone belongs to the steroid hormone group, a group of glucocorticoids. As such, it is an endogenous hormone synthesized in the adrenal cortex. Cortisone is an oxidation product of cortisol and is both irreplaceable and amazingly versatile in the everyday tasks of the body.
These tasks include energy metabolism, accelerating protein breakdown and allowing thereby the mobilization of energy reserves. This results in increased blood sugar levels and fat release. Cortisone can also influence the water and electrolyte balance and has an inhibitory effect on cell division as well as on immunological and allergic processes in the organism.
Cortisone specifically affects glucocorticoid-induced-leucine zipper protein, or GILZ. Glucocorticoids can have a positive effect on the transcription of these proteins, leading to their increase. The leucine zippers form a class of proteins that bind to a specific site on the DNA and regulate transcription. Cortisone has anti-inflammatory effects at various levels.
The main advantages are the rapid onset and broad spectrum of action. It is impressing with its various possible applications: It can be used locally for skin inflammations and systemically, for example, for lung diseases.
Just like every superhero, cortisone has its kryptonite: prolonged cortisone administration can lead to systemic side effects. The individual characteristics of the patient, the length of application, and the amount of cortisone administered are crucial factors. Side effects in the form of nervousness and dizziness may occur less frequently with short-term cortisone administration. Due to the effect of cortisone on numerous metabolic processes, long-term systemic administration may cause side effects. Possible side effects of systemic cortisone administration:
Fortunately, there are alternatives that can help veterinarians minimize or avoid the side effects of cortisone.
Boswellia serrata
The frankincense tree belongs to the genus Boswellia. The resins of the species Boswellia serrata, carteri and frereana are used in medicine thanks to their effect on inflammatory reactions.
The four most important pentacyclic triterpenic acids include beta-boswellic acid, acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid – all of which have anti-inflammatory effects. The latter, acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, in particular since it inhibits 5-lipooxygenase, which is involved in the synthesis of leukotrienes. Another point is the inhibitory effect of COX-1, which influences prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Boswellic acids can also reduce pro-inflammatory activity by inhibiting proteases, especially cathepsin G.
Curcumae longae rhizoma
The dominant effect of frankincense extracts is anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is characterized by the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. With the help of frankincense, These processes can be inhibited with frankincense, whose principle of action is similar to that of cortisone. The bioavailability of the efficacy-determining boswellic acids is significantly improved by the simultaneous intake of oil. In addition, a sufficiently high dosage as well as a proven quality is required for the effectivity of frankincense.
Turmeric (Curcumae longae rhizoma) belongs to the ginger family and is a rhizome shrub that grows up to one meter high. Medicinally relevant is mainly the rhizome of the turmeric plant, which contains curuminoids. The majority of curuminoids is the component curcumin (diferuloymetane), to which the following effects are attributed.
The active compound in turmeric is curcumin. Its effect is based on influencing mononuclear cells such as macrophages and inhibiting various signal transmissions. By increasing the availability of a protein, curcumin can exert its anti-inflammatory effect. Just like cortisone, it specifically affects the protein GILZ (glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper). This protein is an anti-inflammatory mediator whose effects rely on inhibition of several transcription factors associated with inflammation in macrophages. These include, for example, transcription factors NF-kB and activator protein-1. During inflammation, GILZ is degraded, causing an increased immune response; by increasing the GILZ present, these processes are diminished. Furthermore, GILZ serves as a negative regulator of MAPK signaling, reducing numerous signaling pathways involved in an inflammatory event, such as cell growth and differentiation. Additionally, curcumin can decrease the amount of proinflammatory M1 macrophages as well as increase the number of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages.
Curcumin also has an inhibitory effect on COX-2, lipoxygenases, glutathione S-transferase, and nitric oxide synthase, among others, thus negatively affecting the expression of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines such as interferons, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-12.
In addition, no dose-limiting toxicity has been observed, so it can be assumed that turmeric is pharmacologically safe.
Areas of application of frankincense and turmeric - inflammatory processes: + Inflammatory and neurological diseases + Chronic polyarthritis + Osteoarthritis/arthritis + Viral infections + Abscesses + Cardiovascular diseases + Dermatitis
Frankincense and turmeric are a potential alternative to glucocorticoids, without the undesirable side effects of cortisone, if the extracts are of sufficient dosage and quality.
To conclude, although cortisone is a powerful superhero in the animal body, its side effects should be considered with care before application. By combining cortisone with its natural alternatives, we can get the best of both worlds and provide our patients with the best possible care.
