Limonene inhalation reduces allergic airway inflammation in Dermatophagoides farinae-treated mice.

Abstract

Limonene is one of the main flavonoids which is reported to inhibit the inflammatory response by suppressing the production of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether limonene can inhibit Dermatophagoides farinae-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophilic infiltration and other histological changes in the lung, T helper (Th) 2 cytokine production and airway remodeling in a mice model of asthma. Treatment with limonene significantly reduced the levels of IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, MCP-1, and TGF-β₁ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The goblet cell metaplasia, thickness of airway smooth muscle, and airway fibrosis were markedly decreased in limonene-treated mice. Furthermore, AHR to acetylcholine was significantly abrogated in limonene-treated mice. These results indicate that limonene has a potential to reduce airway remodeling and AHR in asthma model.

• Authors: Ryoji Hirota, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Sabah Asif Bhatti, Nlandu Roger Ngatu, Basilua Andre Muzembo, Narongpon Dumavibhat, Masamitsu Eitoku, Masayoshi Sawamura, Narufumi Suganuma
• Journal: Inhalation toxicology (Inhal Toxicol) Vol. 24 Issue 6 Pg. 373-81 (May 2012) ISSN: 1091-7691 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22564095 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Cyclohexenes
• Cytokines
• Immunoglobulin G
• Terpenes
• Immunoglobulin E
• Collagen
• Limonene

Topics

• Allergens (immunology)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Asthma (drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• Bronchial Hyperreactivity (drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• Collagen (metabolism)
• Cyclohexenes (therapeutic use)
• Cytokines (immunology)
• Dermatophagoides farinae (immunology)
• Eosinophilia (drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Limonene
• Mice
• Pneumonia (drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
• Terpenes (therapeutic use)