Terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol (tea tree oil components) inhibit the production of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-10 on human macrophages

Author(s)

Nogueira, M. N. M. ^[1] ; Aquino, S. G. ^[1] ; Rossa Junior, C. ^[1] ; Spolidorio, D. M. P. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP, Dept Diag & Surg, Sch Dent Araraquara, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP, Dept Physiol & Pathol, Sch Dent Araraquara, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Inflammation Research; v. 63, n. 9, p. 769-778, SEP 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 31

Abstract

Tea tree oil (TTO) is an essential oil with anti-inflammatory properties, steam distilled from the plant Melaleuca alternifolia. We investigated the immunomodulatory properties of TTO and its components (terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. The ability of TTO, terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol to modulate the macrophage response to bacterial LPS stimulation was assessed by ELISA for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine production and by western blotting for the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, which are associated with the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We used a human monocytic cell line (U937) differentiated into macrophages. LPS induced the production of all cytokines, and TTO and its components significantly reduced the production of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-10. The production of TNF-alpha was not affected by either TTO or its major components. The modulation of cytokine production was not mediated by changes in NF-kappa B or p38 MAPK activation. TTO, terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol can suppress the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated human macrophages; this inhibition was mediated by interfering with the NF-kB, p38 or ERK MAPK pathways. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/18968-3 - Characterization of anti-inflammatory action of the Melaleuca oil components(terpinen-4-ol e alpha-terpineol) in human macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas gingivalis
• Grantee: Marianne Nicole Marques Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate