Neocinnamomum caudatum Essential Oil Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Activation and ROS Production

Abstract

Neocinnamomum caudatum (Lauraceae) plant is used in the traditional system of medicine and is considered a potential source of edible fruits, spices, flavoring agents and biodiesel. The leaves, bark and roots of the species are used by local communities for the treatment of inflammatory responses, such as allergies, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the molecular mechanism through which this plant exerts its anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the current research was to characterize the chemical constituents of bark (NCB) and leaf (NCL) essential oil of N. caudatum and to elucidate its anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation were further subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The major constituents in bark essential oil identified as β-pinene (13.11%), α-cadinol (11.18%) and α-pinene (10.99%), whereas leaf essential oil was found to be rich in β-pinene (45.21%), myrcene (9.97%) and α-pinene (9.27%). Treatment with NCB and NCL at a concentration of 25 µg/mL exerted significant anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing LPS-triggered nitric oxide (NO) production to 45.86% and 61.64%, respectively, compared to the LPS-treated group. In the LPS-treated group, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β, decreased after treatment with essential oil, alleviating the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. The essential oil also inhibited the production of intracellular ROS and attenuated the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NCB also reduced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/p65 translocation and elevated the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in LPS-induced macrophages. The present findings, for the first time, demonstrate the anti-inflammatory potential of both bark and leaf essential oils of N. caudatum. The bark essential oil exhibited a significantly more important anti-inflammatory effect than the leaf essential oil and could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification to decipher the multitarget pharmacological mechanism of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil in treating inflammation

“…ROS functions as a secondary messenger in various signalling pathways including apoptosis, inflammation, cell growth [ 7 ]. Oxidative stress is defined as a state of imbalanced oxidant/anti-oxidant ratio in the body leading to oxidative damage of cellular organelles [ 9 , 60 ]. Excessive ROS destroy mitochondrial membrane integrity and lead to the advancement of chronic inflammation [ 61 , 62 ].…”

“…During inflammatory disease, macrophages release excess mediators and activate pro-inflammatory downstream signal transduction pathway [ 8 ]. LPS-activated macrophage results in the release of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α via NF-kB signalling pathway [ 9 , 10 ]. As a result, LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells can be used as an in vitro model to understand the mechanism of anti-inflammatory agents.…”

Elucidating the anti-cancer potential of Cinnamomum tamala essential oil against non-small cell lung cancer: A multifaceted approach involving GC-MS profiling, network pharmacology, and molecular dynamics simulations

“…The MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was carried out to determine the cell cytotoxicity [ 23 ]. HEK-293 and A549 cells were allowed to grow in 96-well culture dishes for 24 h. The cultured cells were treated with CTEO (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 μg/ml) and incubated for 24 h in a humidified incubator.…”

Mesosphaerum suaveolens Essential Oil Attenuates Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages by Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway

“…Based on these data, MSLEO at a lower concentration range (12.5 µg/mL) and a higher concentration range (100 µg/mL) were considered for the subsequent studies relating to inflammation and associated responses. Jena et al [19] also observed no toxicity up to a 100 µg/mL concentration of the essential oil of Neocinnamomum caudatum. Similarly, treatment with 50 µg/mL Neolitsea sericea essential oil also maintained cell viability at 85% [79].…”

“…Owing to their therapeutic potential and relatively few or no adverse effects, antiinflammatory compounds of plant origin have assumed greater significance and have become becoming increasingly popular in recent times for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory disorders [19]. Among plant-derived natural agents, essential oils (EOs) are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities through free radical scavenging, the enhancement of the capacity of the antioxidant defense mechanism, and the downregulation of inflammatory mediators [20,21].…”