Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 85-96 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 89 The modulation of the immune response by medicinal plants involves the suppression of cellular and humoral immunity, lymphocyte activation, and the propagation of apoptosis. Curcumin from Curcuma longa and epigallocatechin-3-gallate from Camellia sinensis are notable examples that exhibit these immunomodulatoryactions (Tasneem et al., 2019). Additionally, 1,2,4-Trimethoxybenzene, an active ingredient from essential oils, selectively inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome, thereby modulating the immune response and reducing inflammation in diseases like multiplesclerosis (Pan et al., 2021). 4.3 Antimicrobial activity Aromatic medicinal plants possess antimicrobial properties that are effective against bacterial infections. The bioactive compounds in these plants disrupt bacterial cell walls, inhibit protein synthesis, and interfere with bacterial DNA replication. For instance, the essential oils from various aromatic plants have demonstrated significant antibacterial activity by targeting bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting their growth (Pan et al., 2021). In addition to their antibacterial properties, aromatic medicinal plants also exhibit antiviral and antifungal activities. The essential oils and bioactive compounds from these plants can inhibit the replication of viruses and the growth of fungal pathogens. For example, the phenolic compounds in Trichilia catigua and Turnera diffusa have shown potential in reducing viral and fungal infections by disrupting their cellular processes and enhancing the host's immune response (Bernardo et al., 2021). By understanding these mechanisms of action, we can better appreciate the clinical applications and safety of aromatic medicinal plants in treating various diseases. 5 Case Studies 5.1 Study on the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils from aromatic medicinal plants The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in various inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. However, selective inhibitors targeting NLRP3 are currently limited, and most therapeutic drugs focus on downstream molecules, which may lead to side effects (Harrison et al., 2023). Therefore, developing compounds that directly inhibit NLRP3 has become a key research focus. Essential oils from aromatic plants have garnered attention for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial pharmacological properties. Pan et al. (2021) isolated 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene (1,2,4-TTB), a major component fromPaulownia essential oil , and discovered through screening that it can selectively inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The experimental results showed that 1,2,4-TTB effectively reduced inflammatory responses by inhibiting the interaction between NLRP3 and ASC, thus preventing NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Additionally, 1,2,4-TTB did not affect the activation of the AIM2 inflammasome, demonstrating its high selectivity. In vivo experiments revealed that 1,2,4-TTB administration significantly alleviated clinical symptoms and demyelination in EAE mice (Figure 2), suggesting its potential as a candidate drug for treating multiple sclerosis and other NLRP3-related diseases (Pan et al., 2021). This study offers new insights into NLRP3 inflammasome-targeted therapies, particularly in the field of neuroinflammation. Pan et al. (2021) demonstrates the inhibitory effect of 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene (1,2,4-TTB) on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in an EAE mouse model. Immunofluorescence staining shows that 1,2,4-TTB significantly reduced the expression and aggregation of ASC in the spinal cord. Western blot results further confirmed that the levels of NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved Caspase-1 were notably decreased in the 1,2,4-TTB treatment group. Additionally, qPCR analysis showed that 1,2,4-TTB suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17a while upregulating the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4. These findings indicate that 1,2,4-TTB alleviated local inflammatory responses by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby reducing the pathological symptoms in EAE mice. 5.2 Successful case of aromatherapy alleviating preoperative anxiety Preoperative anxiety is common among patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which may lead to cardiovascular issues and increase the risk of surgical complications. In recent years, aromatherapy has gradually been applied in the medical field as a complementary treatment method. Studies have shown that aromatherapy,
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