Carvacrol Suppresses Inflammatory Biomarkers Production by Lipoteichoic Acid- and Peptidoglycan-Stimulated Human Tonsil Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx caused by viral, bacterial, or non-infectious factors. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of carvacrol was assessed using an in vitro model of streptococcal pharyngitis using human tonsil epithelial cells (HTonEpiCs) induced with Streptococcus pyogenes cell wall antigens. HTonEpiCs were stimulated by a mixture of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN) for 4 h followed by exposure to carvacrol for 20 h. Following exposure, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, human beta defensin-2 (HBD-2), epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating protein-78 (ENA-78), granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and prostaglandin (PGE2) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-8, ENA-78, and GCP-2 were decreased in a carvacrol dose-dependent manner. The production of HBD-2 was significantly suppressed over 24 h carvacrol treatments. PGE2 and COX-2 levels in the cell suspensions were affected by carvacrol treatment. TNF-α was not detected. The cell viability of all the tested carvacrol concentrations was greater than 80%, with no morphological changes. The results suggest that carvacrol has anti-inflammatory properties, and carvacrol needs to be further assessed for potential clinical or healthcare applications to manage the pain associated with streptococcal pharyngitis.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties of Thyme Oil and Its Main Constituents

“…In addition, Glutathione and Glutathione Peroxidase were elevated with carvacrol, providing protection against the ROS species generated from high glucose levels. Similar anti-inflammatory findings were seen with human tonsil epithelial cells stimulated with Lipoteichoic Acid and Peptidoglycan [ 36 ]. IL-6, IL-8, ENA-78, and GCP-2 were all suppressed with carvacrol.…”

Effect of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. on Inflammation, Senescence and Cell Migration

“…Another study reported that both carvacrol and p-cymene inhibit the activity of the same enzyme; however, p-cymene had a stronger effect when compared to carvacrol [86]. The antiinflammatory potential of carvacrol is reported in different models of inflammation, such as IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes [116], rheumatoid arthritis [117], carcinogenicity associated inflammation in rat colon [118], tonsil epithelial cells [119], paw edema animal model [120], LPS-activated HL-1 cardiomyocytes [121], ovalbumin-induced asthma animal model [122], encephalomyelitis [123] and MNNG-induced gastric carcinogenesis [124]. Rosmarinic acid, the major component in the HRW, is also widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties alone [125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133] and in nanovesicles [134] or associated with chitosan [135,136].…”

Carvacrol—A Natural Phenolic Compound with Antimicrobial Properties

“…In addition, HBD-2 production was significantly suppressed during the 24 h carvacrol treatment. Carvacrol also had an effect on PGE2 and COX-2 levels in cell suspensions [91].…”