In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of terpenes via suppression of superoxide and nitric oxide generation and the NF- κB signalling pathway

This study aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity ofl-carveol,l-carvone, andm-cimene (monoterpenes) and of valencene and guaiene (sesquiterpenes).MethodsThe influence on intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine (TNF- α, IL-1α and IL-10) production and on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity was determined using Griess reagent, immunoenzymatic assay kits (ELISA) and chemiluminescence measurements in cell-based assays, respectively. Antioxidant activity was assayed through the protective effect against cellu lar oxidative damage produced by superoxide anion production (O2·−) and hydrogen peroxide on macrophages and by the quenching activity of the NO radical.Results and DiscussionTerpenes reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF- α and IL-1α and increased the production of IL-10. In addition, the terpenes, especially guaiene (53.3 ± 2.4%) andm-cymene (38.1  ± 0.6%), significantly inhibited NO production in a macrophage cell culture-based assay, whereas no effect was observed in the scavenging activity of this radical.l-carveol andm-cymene significantly inhibited O2·− production with reductions of approximately 68.6  ± 2.2% and 48.2 ± 4.2%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 μM. Moreover, these terpenes were verified to suppress NF-κB activity. The results indicate that these terpenes have therapeutic potential and may be used to suppress inflammatory diseases or as a leading compound...
Source: Inflammopharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research