Cineole

1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) ameliorates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis via modulation of cytokines, oxidative stress and NF-kappaB activity in mice.[Pubmed:23702424]

Life Sci. 2013 Jul 10;92(24-26):1195-201.

AIMS: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition wherein pro-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and NF-kappaB signaling play a key role. Currently, no specific therapy exists and treatment is mainly supportive and targeted to prevent local pancreatic injury and systemic inflammatory complications. This study was aimed to examine whether 1,8-Cineole, a plant monoterpene with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties could ameliorate cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. MAIN METHODS: AP was induced in Swiss mice by six one hourly injections of cerulein (50 mug/kg, i.p.). 1,8-Cineole (100, 200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1h prior to first cerulein injection, keeping vehicle and thalidomide treated groups as controls. Blood samples were taken 6-h later to determine serum levels of amylase and lipase, and cytokines. The pancreas was removed for morphological examination, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and for nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB immunostaining. KEY FINDINGS: 1,8-Cineole effectively reduced the cerulein-induced histological damage, pancreatic edema and NF-kappaB expression, levels of MPO activity and MDA, and replenished the GSH depletion. Cerulein increased serum levels of amylase and lipase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were also decreased by 1,8-Cineole pretreatment, similar to thalidomide, a TNF-alpha inhibitor. The anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine level was, however, enhanced by 1,8-Cineole. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicate that 1,8-Cineole can attenuate cerulein-induced AP via an anti-inflammatory mechanism and by combating oxidative stress. Further studies are needed to clearly elucidate its benefits in patients on acute pancreatitis.

In vitro antifungal activity of terpinen-4-ol, eugenol, carvone, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) and thymol against mycotoxigenic plant pathogens.[Pubmed:22257275]

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2012;29(3):415-22.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of five naturally occurring compounds from essential oils on 10 different species of mycotoxigenic fungi involved in several plant diseases. The antifungal activities of terpinen-4-ol, eugenol, carvone, 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol) and thymol were observed in vitro on Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium cerealis, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Aspergillus tubingensis, Aspergillus carbonarius, Alternaria alternata and Penicillium sp. The naturally occurring compounds tested showed toxic effects on in vitro mycelium growth of all fungal species but with different level of potency. The results are encouraging for further investigations of in planta antifungal activities of these essential oils components.

1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) mitigates inflammation in amyloid Beta toxicated PC12 cells: relevance to Alzheimer's disease.[Pubmed:24379109]

Neurochem Res. 2014 Feb;39(2):344-52.

Inflammatory process has a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and insoluble amyloid beta deposits and neurofibrillary tangles provide the obvious stimuli for inflammation. The present study demonstrate the effect of pretreatment of 1,8-Cineole (Cin) on inflammation induced by Abeta(25-35) in differentiated PC12 cells. The cells were treated with Cin at different doses for 24 h and then replaced by media containing Abeta(25-35) for another 24 h. The cell viability was decreased in Abeta(25-35) treated cells which was significantly restored by Cin pretreatment. Cin successfully reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS and NO levels in Abeta(25-35) treated cells. Cin also lowered the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in Abeta(25-35) treated cells. Moreover, Cin also succeeded in lowering the expression of NOS-2, COX-2 and NF-kappaB. This study suggests the protective effects of Cin on inflammation and provides additional evidence for its potential beneficial use in therapy as an anti-inflammatory agent in neurodegenerative disease.

Effects of 1,8-cineole on hypertension induced by chronic exposure to nicotine in rats.[Pubmed:24341327]

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2014 May;66(5):688-93.

OBJECTIVES: The monoterpenic oxide 1,8-Cineole is a major component of many essential oils. We investigated its effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and oxidative stress in rats chronically exposed to nicotine. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (100-120 g) were intraperitoneally injected with 0.8 mg/kg/day nicotine for 21 days, followed by 3 mg/kg nicotine the next day. Rats were subsequently injected intraperitoneally with 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg 1,8-Cineole, or 10 mg/kg nifedipine. SBP was measured using a tail cuff transducer, plasma nitrite concentration was measured colorimetrically, and plasma corticosterone concentration was measured by enzyme immunoassay. KEY FINDINGS: We found that 0.1 mg/kg 1,8-Cineole significantly reduced SBP, and that 1.0 mg/kg 1,8-Cineole significantly increased plasma nitrite concentrations, compared with rats chronically exposed to nicotine alone. Rats chronically exposed to nicotine showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels, an elevation significantly antagonized by treatment with 0.01 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg 1,8-Cineole. Chronic exposure to nicotine also significantly increased plasma corticosterone levels, but this effect was not diminished by treatment with 1,8-Cineole. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that 1,8-Cineole may lower blood pressure, and that this antihypertensive effect may be associated with the regulation of nitric oxide and oxidative stress in rats chronically exposed to nicotine.