Carvacrol protects mice against LPS-induced sepsis and attenuates inflammatory response in macrophages by modulating the ERK1/2 pathway

Abstract

Macrophages play an important role in the development of life-threatening sepsis, which is characterized by multiorgan dysfunction, through their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines. Carvacrol is a phenolic compound that has been confirmed to possess strong anti‑inflammatory activity. In this study, we mainly investigated the effect of carvacrol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage proinflammatory responses and endotoxic shock. The results showed that carvacrol significantly reduced mouse body weight loss and ameliorated pathological damage to the liver, lung, and heart under LPS-induced sepsis. Carvacrol attenuated inflammatory responses by inhibiting the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, carvacrol inhibited IL-6 production mainly through the ERK1/2 signalling pathway in macrophages. Furthermore, carvacrol improved the survival of septic mice. This study sheds light on the role of carvacrol in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced sepsis, and thus, its potential in treating sepsis patients may be considered.

The immunogenic profile and immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stromal / stem cells in the presence of Ptychotis verticillata

“…Carvacrol attenuated inflammatory responses by inhibiting the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, carvacrol inhibited IL-6 production mainly through the ERK1/2 signalling pathway in macrophages in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced sepsis [ 71 ]. In parallel, results have showed that carvacrol can prevent intestinal inflammation and damage as well as mitigate gut dysbiosis in rabbits following LPS challenge [ 72 ].…”

Oregano Essential Oil in Livestock and Veterinary Medicine

“…It was found that carvacrol inhibits the production of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-8, HBD-2, GCP-2, ENA-78, PGE2, and COX-2 to improve pain associated with Streptococcal pharyngitis , and further research into the use of carvacrol as a natural health additive can continue. Ma et al explored the mechanism by which carvacrol protects mice from LPS-induced sepsis [ 49 ]. The results showed that carvacrol significantly improved weight loss in mice with LPS-induced sepsis; ameliorated pathological damage to the liver, lungs, and heart; and attenuated the inflammatory response by inhibiting LPS-induced production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vivo and in vitro.…”