Eugenol as a Promising Molecule for the Treatment of Dermatitis: Antioxidant and Anti‐inflammatory Activities and Its Nanoformulation

Abstract

Contact dermatitis produces an inflammatory reaction primarily via stimulation of keratinocytes and cells of the immune system, which promote the release of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and other chemical mediators. Eugenol (EUG, phenylpropanoid of essential oils) has attracted attention due to its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidant effect. On the other hand, it is volatile and insoluble and is a skin irritant. In this case, nanostructured systems have been successfully employed as a drug carrier for skin diseases since they improve both biological and pharmaceutical properties of active compounds. The cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of EUG were assessed in human neutrophils and keratinocytes. Additionally, polymeric nanocarries (NCEUG) were prepared to improve the chemical and irritant characteristics of EUG. EUG presented apparent safety and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on human neutrophils, but presented cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes. However, the nanocapsules were able to reduce its cytotoxicity. An in vivo experiment of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) in mice induced by TPA showed that NCEUG reduced significantly the ear edema in mice when compared to the EUG solution, as well as the leukocyte infiltration and IL-6 level, possibly due to better skin permeation and irritancy blockage. These findings suggest that EUG is a promising bioactive molecule, and its nanoencapsulation seems to be an interesting approach for the treatment of ICD.

Eugenol attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatitis through modulation of cytokine levels and inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative stress

“…Pre-and concomitant treatment of rats with eugenol curtailed the release of this growth factor from immune cells. Similar findings were reported previously in other experimental conditions [39,40].…”

Ocimum campechianum Mill. from Amazonian Ecuador: Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Extracts and Their Main Constituents (Eugenol and Rosmarinic Acid)

“…The experimental results of the eugenol antiradical scavenger tests are further proof of the above, in fact they showed IC 50 lower than EO and comparable to the positive control ( Table 3 ), confirming previously data of literature [ 27 ]. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, eugenol has been already studied for the treatment of irritant contact dermatitis [ 28 ], and also as components of active packaging to reduce the microbial decay and to preserve the antioxidant characteristics of table grapes [ 29 ], strawberries [ 30 ], and bayberries [ 31 ].…”

Calming the Storm: Natural Immunosuppressants as Adjuvants to Target the Cytokine Storm in COVID-19

“…It is an immunomodulator, a peripheral nervous system drug and a psychotropic drug (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2020j). Nicotine is can also be found in some members of the families Asclepiadaceae, Crassulaceae, Solanaceae (Dawson et al, 1960). It is used clinically in the treatment of ulcerative colitis to counteract inflammation.…”

“…In case of accidental overdose, tissue injury and damage to liver and kidney can result ( National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2020 ). Treatment with polymeric nanocarriers of eugenol was found to bring about a significant reduction in the TPA-induced IL-6 levels in Swiss mice ( de Araújo Lopes et al, 2018 ). In a LPS-induced inflammatory model in porcine intestinal epithelial cells, eugenol enervated the inflammatory response by reducing both, the CXCL8 and TNFα mRNA levels significantly ( Hui et al, 2020 ).…”