Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Dec;31(4):272-280.

The Suppressive Effect of Essential Oils from Plants on Interleukin-8 from Airway Epithelial Cell

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Neutrophil is an important inflammatory cell in severe asthma and associated with steroid-resistance in asthma therapy. In addition, interleukin (IL)-8 is a key chemokines recruiting and activating neutrophils.
METHODS
The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic potential of aromatherapy using essential oils derived from plant extracts in asthma treatment. Essential oils from citron, pine tree, Chamaecyparis pisifera, and Chamaecyparis obtusa were extracted by water-steam distillation. The promoter activity and secretion of IL-8 were measured by using luciferase assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after pretreatment in tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulated A549 and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) cell lines with diluted essential oils.
RESULTS
IL-8 transcription was suppressed with 1 : 500 concentration of each essential oil (P<0.05). IL-8 secretion in A549 cell was suppressed with 1 : 1,000 or higher concentrations of oils except from citron (P<0.05). IL-8 secretion in BEAS-2B cells was decreased after exposure to 1 : 500 concentration of pine tree, Chamaecyparis pisifera and 1 : 2,000 or higher concentrations of Chamaecyparis obtusa (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Essential oils from pine tree and Chamaecyparis obtusa may have a therapeutic potential for asthma by regulating neutrophil-mediated inflammation.

MeSH Terms

Aromatherapy
Asthma
Cell Line
Chamaecyparis
Chemokines
Distillation
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epithelial Cells
Humans
Inflammation
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
Luciferases
Neutrophils
Oils
Oils, Volatile
Pinus
Plant Extracts
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Chemokines
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
Luciferases
Oils
Oils, Volatile
Plant Extracts
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha