Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Volatile Oils: Fennel and Cumin Inhibit Neutrophilic Inflammation via Regulating Calcium and MAPKs
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Neutrophilic inflammatory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), or psoriasis, exert a huge burden on the global health system due to the lack of safe and effective treatments. Volatile oils from terrestrial plants showed impressive therapeutic effects against disorders of the skin, digestive system, lungs, liver, metabolism, and nervous system. However, their effect on the immune system and neutrophil function is still elusive. Fennel, cumin, marjoram, lavender, caraway, and anise are the common nutraceuticals that are widely used in the Mediterranean diet. The volatile oils of these herbs were screened for various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects. Several oils showed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) fruits' volatile oils significantly suppressed the activation of human neutrophils, including respiratory burst and the degranulation induced by formyl peptide receptor agonists fMLF/CB and MMK1 in the human neutrophils (IC50, 3.8–17.2 µg/ml). The cytotoxic effect and free-radical scavenging effects (ABTS, DPPH) of these oils did not account for the observed effects. Both fennel and cumin volatile oils significantly shortened calcium influx recovery time and inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38, JNK, and ERK) expression. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of these oils revealed the presence of estragole and cuminaldehyde as the major components of fennel and cumin volatile oils, respectively. Our findings suggested that cumin and fennel, common in the Mediterranean diet, hold the potential to be applied for the treatment of neutrophilic inflammatory diseases.
Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology
Institutions: Kaohsiung Medical University, Chang Gung University, German University in Cairo, National Sun Yat-sen University, Ain Shams University, Ming Chi University of Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,950
Awards: Drug Development for Covid-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, G2057595579, G2074539108, G2205640134, G2241044022, G2380473050, G3467250787, Natural Products Research and Development under Genetic and Signaling Expression Modulation in Fungi, G477469740, G4802126081, G4881241878, G4965875993, G5016752654, Targeting Neutrophil-Driven Inflammation for Treating Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Psoriasis, Investigation on the Novel Anti-Allergic/Anti-Inflammatory Effects and the Underlying Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Ixeris Chinensis Aqueous Decoction, G5634652733, Research Center for Epidemic Prevention Science - Chang University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, G5870024538, G6081627747, G6282059440, G737106015, G7646208359, G7921603225, G8734002088
OpenAlex ID: W3205238564