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Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's defense response, in which immune cells release chemical signals to deal with injury or infection, though it can linger and cause harm when it stays switched on. Among supplements, black seed oil and urolithin A have the strongest evidence, and trials found lower levels of C-reactive protein, a common blood marker of inflammation. Those studies were fairly small, and other options such as luteolin rest mostly on animal or lab work.

Sources: PMID 19668473

Supplements studied
5
Medicines and peptides
1
Graded outcomes
6

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

5 supplements

Black Seed Oil

Black Seed Oil: outcomes studied for Inflammation
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Inflammatory Markers (CRP)

Meta-analysis: Significant reduction in CRP and MDA. Immunomodulatory effects on Th1/Th2 balance demonstrated.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect500 people

Urolithin A

Urolithin A: outcomes studied for Inflammation
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
C-Reactive Protein

Significantly lower CRP indicating reduced inflammation

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect150 people

Fisetin

  • Inflammatory Markers (IL-6, TNF-α): improves
Fisetin: outcomes studied for Inflammation
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Inflammatory Markers (IL-6, TNF-α)

Small decrease in inflammatory cytokines

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect95 people

Luteolin

  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: improves
Luteolin: outcomes studied for Inflammation
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anti-inflammatory Effects

Preclinical and in vitro evidence: Inhibits NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines. Shown to reduce neuroinflammation in sleep deprivation and chronic stress models. Clinical studies limited but mechanism well-established.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect

Black Pepper

  • Inflammatory Markers: improves
Black Pepper: outcomes studied for Inflammation
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Inflammatory Markers

Modest reduction in inflammatory markers; synergistic anti-inflammatory effect when combined with curcumin

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect120 people

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use. They are listed so the supplement evidence above can be read against them.

1 medicine or peptide

TB-500

  • Anti-Inflammatory Activity: improves
TB-500: outcomes studied for Inflammation
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Inhibits NF-κB signaling, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Demonstrated in multiple inflammation models.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect7 studies80 people

Key findings

  • Inflammatory Markers (CRP)Black Seed OilImproves (the measure goes down)
  • C-Reactive ProteinUrolithin AImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Inflammatory Markers (IL-6, TNF-α)FisetinImproves (the measure goes down)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Fullscript collectionImmune support: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

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Studies cited

7 studies from PubMed

  1. Thymosin β(4) and β(10) Expression in Human Organs during Development: A Review.Cells, 2024 · PMID 38994967
  2. Association between Thymosin beta-4, acute kidney injury, and mortality in patients with sepsis: An observational cohort studyInt Immunopharmacol, 2021 · PMID 34607232
  3. Thymosin-β4 induces angiogenesis in critical limb ischemia mice via regulating Notch/NF-κB pathwayInt J Mol Med, 2020 · PMID 32945357
  4. Sources of variability in quantifying circulating thymosin beta-4: literature review and recommendations.Expert opinion on biological therapy, 2018 · PMID 29502471
  5. Thymosin beta 4 regulation of actin in sepsisExpert Opin Biol Ther, 2018 · PMID 29508629
  6. Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Basic properties and clinical applicationsAnn N Y Acad Sci, 2012 · PMID 22074294
  7. Thymosin beta 4: A novel corneal wound healing and anti-inflammatory agentClin Ophthalmol, 2007 · PMID 19668473