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

Inflammation Research volume 63, pages 769–778 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

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.

Methods

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)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine production and by western blotting for the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) 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.

Results

LPS induced the production of all cytokines, and TTO and its components significantly reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10. The production of TNF-α was not affected by either TTO or its major components. The modulation of cytokine production was not mediated by changes in NF-κB or p38 MAPK activation.

Conclusion

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.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Brazilian Federal Government through the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Coordination for Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). This study was also supported by the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (Grant number 2009/54190-0 and 2010/18968-3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry Araraquara, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

    M. N. M. Nogueira, S. G. Aquino & C. Rossa Junior

  2. 491 Major Basilio St, Sao Paulo, SP, 03181-010, Brazil

    M. N. M. Nogueira

  3. Department of Physiology and Pathology, School of Dentistry Araraquara, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

    D. M. P. Spolidorio

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  1. M. N. M. Nogueira
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  2. S. G. Aquino
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  3. C. Rossa Junior
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Correspondence to M. N. M. Nogueira.

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Nogueira, M.N.M., Aquino, S.G., Rossa Junior, C. et al. Terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol (tea tree oil components) inhibit the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 on human macrophages. Inflamm. Res. 63, 769–778 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-014-0749-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-014-0749-x

Keywords

  • Tea tree oil
  • Macrophages
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation