Tea Tree Oil Terpinen-4-ol Protects Gut Barrier Integrity by Upregulation of Tight Junction Proteins via the ERK1/2-Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Tea tree oil (TTO) exhibits a potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity and is commonly used in skincare products. However, it is not clear whether TTO can protect gut barrier damage in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Herein, we report the impact of terpinen-4-ol (TER, the primary constituent of TTO), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal epithelial cell barrier function impairment in intestinal porcine epithelial cell lines (IPEC-J2) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD in mice. TER protected against LPS-induced damage in IPEC-J2 cells in vitro and attenuated DSS-induced colitis in vivo. Added TER promoted the tight junction (TJ) proteins expressing in vitro and in vivo and attenuated the LPS-induced upregulation of ERK phosphorylation in IPEC-J2 cells. However, when an inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation was added, TER did not promote the expression of TJ protein, denoting that the ERK signaling pathway mediates the upregulation of TJ proteins. Our data may propose the potential application of TER in treating IBD.

Dietary tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil supplementation enhances the expressions of amino acid transporters in goat ileal mucosa and improves intestinal immunity

“…In the present study, TTO significantly increased the expression of Claudin‐1 in the ileal mucosa of goats, suggesting that tea tree oil can improve the intestinal barrier and immune function. Yong et al (Yong et al, 2022 ) found that TTO could enhance intestinal barrier function by increasing the expression of Claudin‐1 in the intestines of mice, which is similar to that reported in the current study (Figure 2 ).…”

“…Yong et al (Yong et al, 2022) found that TTO could enhance intestinal barrier function by increasing the expression of Claudin-1 in the intestines of mice, which is similar to that reported in the current study (Figure 2).…”

Phenol-Rich Botanicals Modulate Oxidative Stress and Epithelial Integrity in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

“…Some in vitro studies have associated proanthocyanidins with augmented TEER and reduced permeability in situations of barrier dysfunction, reinforcing data obtained from GSE and GTE [ 66 , 67 ]. Also, terpinene-4-ol (primary constituent of TTO) was reported to positively impact impaired intestinal barrier function, alleviating the negative effects correlated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) [ 68 ]. Capsicum and olive appear advantageous when applied for shorter periods, as both allowed an increase of TEER over the initial period of supplementation.…”

Polygonum sibiricum polysaccharides exert the antidepressant‐like effects in chronic unpredictable mild stress‐induced depressive mice by modulating microbiota‐gut‐brain axis

“…Tight junctions between epithelial cells play a role in maintaining the permeability and integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Occludin and ZO-1 are the essential adhesion proteins responsible for the efficient functioning of tight junctions in the intestinal lining (Yong et al, 2021). Occludin forms a physical barrier with adjacent endothelial cells to prevent paracellular diffusion, and auxiliary proteins (ZO family) anchor the transmembrane proteins onto the cytoskeleton (Wen et al, 2014).…”