Akt3 Regulates the Tissue-Specific Response to Copaiba Essential Oil

Abstract

This study reports a relationship between Akt3 expression and tissue-specific regulation of the pI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by copaiba essential oil. Akt3, a protein kinase B isoform important for the regulation of neuronal development, exhibited differential expression levels in cells of various origins. In neuronal and microglial cells, where Akt3 is present, copaiba essential oil positively regulated the pI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In contrast, in liver cells and T lymphocytes, where Akt3 is absent, copaiba essential oil negatively regulated the pI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The expression of Akt3 via plasmid DNA in liver cells led to positive regulatory effects by copaiba essential oil on the pI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In contrast, inhibition of Akt3 expression in neuronal cells via small interfering RNA molecules targeting Akt3 transcripts abrogated the regulatory effects of copaiba essential oil on the pI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Interestingly, Akt3 expression did not impact the regulatory effects of copaiba essential oil on other signaling pathways. For example, copaiba essential oil consistently upregulated the MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in all evaluated cell types, independent of the Akt3 expression level. Collectively, the data indicated that Akt3 expression was required for the positive regulatory effects of copaiba essential oil, specifically on the pI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Effect of copaíba essential oil (Copaifera officinalis L.) as a natural preservative on the oxidation and shelf life of sheep burgers

“…Copaíba (Copaifera spp.) essential oil (CO) is one of those essential oils approved as a flavoring agent in food and beverages [9] and, is widely distributed in northern South America, and produced in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, and its main bioactive components are phenolic compounds, such as sesquiterpenes and diterpenes [10], the main component being β karyophylene, which constitutes more than 50% of the oil, selectively binds to the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) and has been proposed as a viable strategy to relieve pain and inflammation [11,12].…”

Oregano essential oil showed limited effects on pigs' carcass quality and haematology whereas a transcriptome analysis revealed significant modulations in the jejunum and the ileum

“…The main component of copaiba oil is β‐caryophyllene (>50%), which is also an important functional ingredient within OEO exerting anti‐inflammatory activities (Jung et al, 2015). In an in vitro assay, copaiba oil did not affect the expression of AKT3 in intestinal cells (Urasaki et al, 2020). This could indicate that other substances within OEO with exception of β‐caryophyllene regulate the AKT3 expression.…”

“…However, the assessment of effects on the immune system is often not easy. Therefore, auxiliary characteristics, such as carcass quality, cellular responses and effects on signal pathways, can help to reveal essential oils’ effects on biological activities (Urasaki et al, 2020).…”

Pharmacology of Natural Volatiles and Essential Oils in Food, Therapy, and Disease Prophylaxis

“…Regulation of the pI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is entirely dependent on Akt3, meaning that it makes sense that the JAK/STAT signalling pathway is upregulated independently. Hence, the essential oil of copaiba that is rich in β-caryophyllene confers gene regulatory effects that differ according to the tissue ( Urasaki et al, 2020 ), i.e., copaiba essential oil can confer anti-inflammatory effects without dulling the immune response. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that by upregulation of the pI3k/Akt/mTOR pathways in the dermis, promotion of reepithelization of superficial wounds occurs ( Koyama et al, 2019 ).…”