α-Phellandrene, a cyclic monoterpene, attenuates inflammatory response through neutrophil migration inhibition and mast cell degranulation
Researchers wanted to see how a substance called α-phellandrene affects two important processes in our body's defense system: the movement of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils, and another process called mast cell degranulation.
They gave animal subjects different doses of α-phellandrene by mouth and also a comparison substance called dexamethasone. Then, they injected something called carrageenan into the animals to cause inflammation. They looked at how the neutrophils moved in the animals' bodies using special techniques like intravital microscopy. They also checked for some proteins called cytokines using a method called ELISA. And they checked how another substance called compound 48/80 affected mast cells in the subjects.
What they found was that α-phellandrene, no matter the dose, stopped the neutrophils from gathering where they shouldn't be when there's inflammation. They also saw that it stopped the neutrophils from sticking to the blood vessels, which is a step in inflammation. Also, the production of some inflammation-causing proteins was reduced by α-phellandrene. And finally, it stopped mast cells from releasing their contents, which is what they do during an allergic reaction.
So, what does all this mean? Well, it suggests that α-phellandrene could be really helpful in reducing inflammation. It seems to work by stopping certain white blood cells from moving to where they're not needed and by keeping mast cells from causing trouble during allergic reactions.
TITLE:
α-Phellandrene, a cyclic monoterpene, attenuates inflammatory response through neutrophil migration inhibition and mast cell degranulation
RESEARCHERS:
H. Siqueira et al.
JOURNAL:
Life Sciences, Vol. 160, 2016, pp 27-33
