Preventive and therapeutic anti‐inflammatory properties of the sesquiterpene α‐humulene in experimental airways allergic inflammation

Abstract

Background and purpose: α‐Humulene and trans‐caryophyllene are plant sesquiterpenes with pronounced anti‐inflammatory properties. Here, we evaluated the effects of these compounds in an experimental model of airways allergic inflammation. Experimental approach: Female BALB/c mice, sensitized to and challenged with ovalbumin received daily α‐humulene or trans‐caryophyllene (50 mg·kg−1, orally) or α‐humulene (1 mg·mL−1, by aerosol) as either a preventive (for 22 days) or therapeutic (from the 18th to the 22nd day) treatment. Dexamethasone or budesonide was used as a positive control drug. Inflammation was determined on day 22 post‐immunization by leukocyte recruitment, interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), CCL11, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and leukotriene (LT)B4 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, transcription factors [nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), activator protein 1 (AP‐1)] and P‐selectin in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry and mucus secretion by histochemistry. Key results: Preventive or therapeutic treatments with α‐humulene, but not with trans‐caryophyllene, significantly reduced the eosinophil recruitment to the BALF. In addition, α‐humulene recovery INF‐γ and reduced the IL‐5, CCL11 and LTB4 levels in BALF, as well as the IL‐5 production in mediastinal lymph nodes (in vitro assay). Furthermore, α‐humulene decreased the NF‐kB and the AP‐1 activation, the expression of P‐selectin and the increased mucus secretion in the lung. Conclusions and implications: α‐Humulene, given either orally or by aerosol, exhibited marked anti‐inflammatory properties in a murine model of airways allergic inflammation, an effect that seemed to be mediated via reduction of inflammatory mediators, adhesion molecule expression and transcription factors activation. This article is part of a themed issue on Mediators and Receptors in the Resolution of Inflammation. To view this issue visit http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009

Volatile Compounds of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer Cultured with Different Cultivation Methods

“…The average and statistical analysis results by analysis of variance (ANOVA) according to different cultivation methods were shown in Table 4. In Table 4, the most abundant volatile compound of 14 was α‐humulene, which commonly appears as the main sesquiterpene in the plant (Michielin and others 2009) with pronounced anti‐inflammatory properties (Rogerio and others 2009). It was the most abundant in OCM and the least in GCM, with significant difference.…”

Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis, and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science

“…It is found in cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, oregano, basil, rosemary, and hops. It has analgesic effects in inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and has potent anti‐inflammatory, local anesthetic, antioxidant, anti‐cancer, and gastric cytoprotector effects . Its anti‐inflammatory effects occur via PGE‐1, with similar efficacy to indomethacin and etodolac, and comparable to phenylbutazone .…”

“…It is found in herbs and spices such as hops, clove, basil, sage, ginger, spearmint, and ginseng as well as some fruits and vegetables. It has strong anti‐inflammatory properties comparable to dexamethasone systemically, topically, and in allergic airway inflammation, as well as anti‐nociceptive and analgesic properties . It has anti‐cancer activity, is anti‐bacterial including activity against Staphylococcus aureus , and insecticidal/larvicidal effects have been documented.…”

β-Caryophyllene Ameliorates the Alzheimer-Like Phenotype in APP/PS1 Mice through CB2 Receptor Activation and the PPARγ Pathway

“…In another set of experiments, animals received an intraperitoneal injection of the CB2 antagonist AM630 (10 mg/kg; Cayman Chemical) or the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (1 mg/kg; Cayman Chemical) every morning for 10 weeks starting at the age of 7 months, given 30 min before β-caryophyllene (48 mg/kg). The dose of each drug was chosen based on preliminary studies or previous publications [47,50,51,52]. β-Caryophyllene was initially dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and further diluted (2%) in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with 10% Cremophor EL (poluoxyl-35 hydrogenated castor oil; BASF, Germany); AM630 and GW9662 were prepared in 2% dimethyl sulfoxide in PBS solution.…”