Antioxidant Activity of Limonene on Normal Murine Lymphocytes: Relation to H₂O₂ Modulation and Cell Proliferation

Abstract

Limonene is a monoterpene present in citrus fruit and is used as flavouring agents of foods. It was shown that monoterpenes possess antioxidant activity. Previously, it was demonstrated that limonene exerts anti-proliferative action on a lymphoma cell line without modifying normal lymphocyte viability. H 2 O 2 has a modulator role in cell proliferation. In the present study, the effect of limonene on normal lymphocytes proliferation and its relation with H 2 O 2 level modulation was analysed, evaluating its effect on the activity of cell antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Limonene exerted a biphasic effect on cell proliferation; the increase in cell proliferation was related to the decrease in H 2 O 2 level by the increase in catalase and peroxidase activities. Moreover, limonene protected the cells to the oxidative stress induced by exogenous addition of H 2 O 2 . In view of these results, it is possible that limonene could protect normal lymphocytes from diseases related to oxidative stress, including cancer, but further research is necessary to establish the role of limonene as a potential antioxidant that can effectively protect lymphocytes from oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Limonene and its ozone-initiated reaction products attenuate allergic lung inflammation in mice

“…In murine splenocytes, limonene is suggested to have anti-inflammatory and T-helper cell (T H )-2-stimulating properties mainly via promoting IL-10 secretion (Ku & Lin 2013) and limonene has been shown to possess antioxidant properties (Fraternale et al 2007;Roberto et al 2010). However, dampening of inflammatory responses was more evident in the MIX compared to the LIM groups and in particular relative to the O 3 mice.…”

Bioassay‐guided Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antinociceptive Activities of Carvacrol

“…In acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, CARV significantly reduced the nociceptive behaviour in all doses. This is a standard, simple and sensitive test for measuring analgesia induced by both opioids and peripherally-acting analgesics [23,35]. This test, besides being the most appropriate antinociceptive model for opioids [36], is also commonly employed as a visceral inflammatory pain model [37].…”

d-Limonene: a bioactive food component from citrus and evidence for a potential role in breast cancer prevention and treatment

“…In a recent report by Roberto et al [47], d-limonene demonstrated peroxidase (Px) and catalase (CAT)-like activity in concentrations less than 50 lg/mL in lymphocyte culture, but this activity was not demonstrated at higher concentrations. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity by d-limonene increased with increasing concentration of d-limonene up to 1,000 lg/mL.…”