COVID-19 and therapy with essential oils having antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties

Abstract Background Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) from the human umbilical cord have been studied extensively due to their immunomodulatory functions. Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa channels) channels are involved in many inflammatory responses, but their involvement in the anti-inflammatory activity of WJ-MSCs is unknown. The underlying molecular mechanism, through which BKCa channels mediate the immunomodulation of WJ-MSC, which may include changes in exosomes proteomics, has not yet been clarified. Methods Alizarin staining, Oil Red O staining, and flow cytometry were used to identify WJ-MSCs, which were isolated from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly. BKCa channels were detected in WJ-MSCs using western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), and electrophysiology, and cytokine expression was examined using real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Exosomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Proteomics analysis was performed to explore exosomal proteomic profiles. Results The cells derived from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly were identified as MSCs. BKCa channels were detected in the isolated WJ-MSCs, and the expression of these channels increased after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. BKCa channels blockade in LPS-treated WJ-MSCs induced apoptosis and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. Furthermore, THP-1 cells (human monocytic cell line) stimulated with LPS/interferon gamma (IFN-γ) produced more anti-inflammatory cytokines after treatment with exosomes derived from BKCa channel-knockdown WJ-MSCs (si-exo). We also observed altered expression of mitochondrial ATP synthase alpha subunit (ATP5A1), filamin B, and other proteins in si-exo, which might increase the anti-inflammatory activity of macrophages. Conclusions Our study described the functional expression of BKCa channels in WJ-MSCs, and BKCa channels regulated the immunomodulatory properties of WJ-MSCs by affecting the exosomal protein profiles during the inflammatory response.

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Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced neutrophil adherence responses by essential oils

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1080/09629350310001633342 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 323-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Shigeru Abe ◽

Naho Maruyama ◽

Kazumi Hayama ◽

Hiroko Ishibashi ◽

Shigeharu Inoue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Neutrophil Activation ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Neutrophil Adherence ◽

Factor Alpha ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Necrosis Factor

Background:In aromatherapy, essential oils are used as anti-inflammatory remedies, but experimental studies on their action mechanisms are very limited.Aims:To assess their anti-inflammatory activities, effects of essential oils on neutrophil activation were examinedin vitro.Methods:Neutrophil activation was measured by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced adherence reaction of human peripheral neutrophils.Results:All essential oils tested at 0.1% concentration suppressed TNF-α-induced neutrophil adherence, and, in particular, lemongrass, geranium and spearmint oils clearly lowered the reaction even at 0.0125%. Similar inhibitory activities for the neutrophil adherence were obtained by their major constituent terpenoids: citral, geraniol, citronellol and carvone. In contrast, very popular essential oils, tea tree oil and lavender oil, did not display the inhibitory activity at the concentration.Conclusion:Thus, some essential oils used as anti-inflammatory remedies suppress neutrophil activation by TNF-α at a low concentration (0.0125-0.025%)in vitro.

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Thymus algeriensis and Artemisia herba-alba Essential Oils: Chemical Analysis, Antioxidant Potential and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic Activities, and Acute Toxicity

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26226780 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (22) ◽

pp. 6780

Author(s):

Khadija El Ouahdani ◽

Imane Es-safi ◽

Hamza Mechchate ◽

Mohammed Al-zahrani ◽

Ashraf Ahmed Qurtam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Free Radical ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Iron Reduction ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Potential Toxicity ◽

Thymus Algeriensis ◽

Anti Inflammatory

The study of bioactive molecules of natural origin is a focus of current research. Thymus algeriensis and Artemisia herba-alba are two medicinal plants widely used by the Moroccan population in the traditional treatment of several pathologies linked to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the single and combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the essential oils extracted from these two medicinal plants, and also their potential toxicity. Essential oils were extracted using hydro-distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by two methods: the scavenging of the free radical DPPH, and the reduction in iron. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by evaluating the edema development induced by carrageenan injecting, while the analgesic power was evaluated according to the number of abdominal contortions induced by the intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.7%). The acute oral toxicity was performed to assess the potential toxicity of the studied EOs, followed by an analysis of the blood biochemical parameters. The results of the two antioxidant tests indicated that our extract mixture exhibits good iron reduction capacity and very interesting DPPH free radical scavenging power, with an IC50 of around 4.38 ± 0.98 μg/mL higher than that of the benchmark antioxidant, BHT. The anti-inflammatory test demonstrated that the mixture administered orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg has a better activity, exceeding that of 1% Diclofenac, with a percentage of maximum inhibition of the edema of 89.99 ± 4.08. The number of cramps in the mice treated with the mixture at a dose of 150 mg/kg is significantly lower (29.80 ± 1.92) than those of the group treated with Tramadol (42.00 ± 2.70), respectively. The toxicity results show no signs of toxicity with an LD50 greater than 150 mg/Kg. These interesting results show that the two plants’ EOs had an important anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activity, and also a powerful synergistic effect, which encourages further in-depth investigations on their pharmacological proprieties.

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Modulatory effect of Syzygium aromaticum and Pelargonium graveolens on oxidative stress and inflammation

10.1101/362426 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Ilias Marmouzi ◽

El Mostafa Karym ◽

Rachid Alami ◽

Meryem El Jemli ◽

Mourad Kharbach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Toxic Effect ◽

Tetrahymena Pyriformis ◽

Syzygium Aromaticum ◽

Minimal Risk ◽

Pelargonium Graveolens ◽

Anti Inflammatory

AbstractBackgroundTherapy combination is defined as disease treatment with two or more medication to acheive efficacy with lower doses or lower toxicity. Regarding its reported toxicities and efficacy, the Essential Oils (EOs) from Syzygium aromaticum (SA) and Pelargonium graveolens (PG) were combined for in vitro and in vivo assays and toxicities.MethodsThe Essential Oils and mixture were tested for in vivo/in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The assays included the animal model of acute inflammation (carrageenan model), the protective effect on H2O2/Sodium nitroprissude induced stress in Tetrahymena pyriformis, and the in vitro antioxidant assays.ResultsThe chemical analysis of the investigated Oils has lead to the identification of Eugenol (74.06%), Caryophyllene (11.52%) and Carvacrol acetate (7.82%) as the major element in SA; while PG was much higher in Citronellol (30.77%), 10-epi-γ-Eudesmol (22.59%), and Geraniol (13.95%). In our pharmacological screening of samples, both Oils demonstrated good antioxidant effects. In vivo investigation of the antioxidant activity in the protozoa model (T. pyriformis) demonstrated a lesser toxic effect of EOs mixture with no significant differences when oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes (MDA, SOD and CAT) were evaluated. On the other hand the in vivo model of inflammatory response to carrageenan demonstrated a good inhibitory potential of both EOs. The EOs Mixture demonstrated equivalent bioactivity with lower toxic effect and minimal risk for each compound.ConclusionsThe results from this study indicate that EOs mixture from SA and PG demonstrated promising modulatory antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect, which suggest an efficient association for therapy.

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