Planta Med 2016; 82(15): 1341-1345
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-107799
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gamma-Terpinene Modulation of LPS-Stimulated Macrophages is Dependent on the PGE2/IL-10 Axis

Theresa R. Ramalho
1   Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
,
Luciano R. Filgueiras
1   Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
,
Maria Talita Pacheco de Oliveira
2   Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
,
Ana Luisa de Araujo Lima
3   Natural Synthetic and Bioactive Products Post-graduation Program, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
,
Claudio Roberto Bezerra-Santos
4   Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Department de Physiology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
,
Sonia Jancar
1   Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
,
Marcia Regina Piuvezam
3   Natural Synthetic and Bioactive Products Post-graduation Program, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
4   Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Department de Physiology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil
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Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 07. März 2016
revised 15. April 2016

accepted 18. April 2016

Publikationsdatum:
25. Mai 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Gamma-terpinene is a monoterpene present in the essential oils of several plants, including those from the Eucalyptus genus. This molecule was recently described as anti-inflammatory and microbiocidal, but little is known about the mechanisms behind its effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of gamma-terpinene on the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of cytokines by murine peritoneal macrophages. Gamma-terpinene treatment was found to reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and interleukin-6, and enhance that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. This was accompanied by increased levels of the enzyme cycloxygenase-2 and its product, the lipid mediator prostaglandin E2. Inhibition of cycloxygenase-2 with nimesulide abolished the potentiating effect of gamma-terpinene on interleukin-10 production. Moreover, nimesulide treatment also abrogated the inhibitory effect of gamma-terpinene on interleukin-1β and interleukin-6. Furthermore, in macrophages from mice deficient in the interleukin-10 gene, gamma-terpinene failed to inhibit interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 production. These results suggest that this monoterpene promotes the prostaglandin E2/interleukin-10 axis, which inhibits the production of these proinflammatory cytokines.