Effect of Estragole on Leukocyte Behavior and Phagocytic Activity of Macrophages

Abstract

Estragole, a chemical constituent of the essential oils of many aromatic plants, is used as flavoring in beverage and food industries. In vivo and in vitro experimental assays have shown that EST has sedative, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anesthetic activity. In this work, we evaluate the effect of EST on leukocyte behavior and phagocytic activity of macrophages. In the peritonitis model, EST (500 and 750 mg/kg) decreased the infiltration of peritoneal exudate leukocytes. In vitro chemotaxis assay showed that EST (3, 10, 30, and 60 μg/mL) inhibited neutrophil migration toward fMLP. In the in vivo microcirculation assay, EST at doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes and at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg decreased number of leukocyte migrated to perivascular tissue. The results showed that EST (3, 10, and 30 μg/mL) was able to stimulate the macrophages phagocytosis but only at concentration of 10 μg/mL promoted an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. In conclusion, this study showed that EST had potential anti-inflammatory effects, likely by inhibiting leukocyte migration and by stimulating macrophages phagocytosis.

Effect of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response

“…In the literature, there is a great variety of studies demonstrating the activity of essential oils and compounds containing monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, on the acute inflammatory response and immunomodulatory activity, for example, camphor, estragole, anethole, Citrus latifolia essential oil, and Pogostemon cablin essential oil, in models involving leukocyte chemotaxis, edema formation, cellular recruitment, and phagocytosis [ 12 , 22 , 28 – 30 ].…”

Syzygium aqueum: A Polyphenol- Rich Leaf Extract Exhibits Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Pain-Killing and Anti-inflammatory Activities in Animal Models

“…The recruitment of leukocytes to the peritoneal cavity was assessed as described previously ( Silva-Comar et al, 2014 ). Briefly, Swiss albino mice ( n = 5–8/group), were orally treated with the vehicle (1 mL/100 g, p.o.)…”

Properties and limits of some essential oils: chemical characterisation, antimicrobial activity, interaction with antibiotics and cytotoxicity

“…It is partially active against gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Regard to this component, literature data show different biological activities, in particular, it is known to increase phagocytic activity of macrophages (Silva-Comar et al 2014). The observed antifungal and antibacterial activity of M. suaveolens essential oil utilised in this study could be attributed, at least partially to piperitenone, a ketone oxide that represents 38.1% of extract.…”