A nutraceutical composition comprises a cucumber (Cucumis sativus) extract, preferably for use in reducing TNF-α induced inflammation. Preferably the nutraceutical is formulated in a dose form to be administered orally. The nutraceutical preferably comprises between 5 to 200mg of raw extract. The nutraceutical may comprise a substance selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, cellulose, calcium phosphate or magnesium stearate. The nutraceutical may comprise a core containing the raw extract and an external layer wherein the external layer may be gastro-resistant layer. The external gastro-resistant layer may comprise: at least one substance selected from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, saccharose, corn starch, lactose and/or mixtures thereof； or it may comprise polymers and/or copolymers of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acids or salts； or it may comprise sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The raw cucumber extract can inhibit the production of TNF-α in human blood without causing adverse immune reactions and thus is useful as a nutraceutical or dietary supplement for a prolonged time in the prevention and treatment of TNF-α level dependent inflammation states.
