Farnesol, a Sesquiterpene Alcohol in Herbal Plants, Exerts Anti-Inflammatory and Antiallergic Effects on Ovalbumin-Sensitized and -Challenged Asthmatic Mice

Abstract

To investigate the effect of farnesol on allergic asthma, three farnesol doses were extra-added into AIN-76 feed consumed by ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized and -challenged mice continuously for 5 weeks, at approximately 5, 25, and 100 mg farnesol/kg, BW/day. The results showed that there were no significant differences in body weight, feed intake, and visceral organ weights between the farnesol supplementation and dietary control groups. Farnesol supplementation decreased interleukin (IL)-6/IL-10 level ratios in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Farnesol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) restored the cytokine secretion ability of peritoneal macrophages that was suppressed as a result of OVA sensitization and challenge and slightly decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)/IL-10 cytokine secretion ratios. Farnesol supplementation slightly (P > 0.05) decreased IL-4 but significantly (P < 0.05) increased IL-2 levels secreted by the splenocytes in the presence of OVA, implying that farnesol might have a systemic antiallergic effect on allergic asthmatic mice. Farnesol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased IL-10 levels secreted by the splenocytes in the presence of OVA, suggesting that farnesol might have an anti-inflammatory potential to allergic asthmatic mice. Overall, our results suggest that farnesol supplementation may be beneficial to improve the Th2-skewed allergic asthmatic inflammation.

Evaluation of the UVB‐screening capacity and restorative effects exerted by farnesol gel on UVB‐caused sunburn

“…In other words, the prepared farnesol gel may either simultaneously have high film forming and diffusive properties to more completely cover the outer skin surface (0.5% HPMC; Group B), or averagely possess great stickiness coupled with moderate to high film forming and diffusive capacity (2.0% HPMC; Group E) to achieve satisfactory antiphtoaging and reparative effects on the skin.In ovalbumin‐sensitized and ‐challenged asthmatic mice, farnesol supplementation was found to significantly increase interleukin (IL)‐2 levels and decrease serum IgE and IL‐6/‐10 ratios in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, suggesting that farnesol may improve allergic asthmatic inflammation in both the respiratory system and the circulation . Our HE and Masson's trichrome staining results also revealed inflammation‐attenuating effects exerted by the prepared plural farnesol gels on the epidermis and dermis in vivo, which is similar to the findings revealed by Ku and Lin . Farnesol has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest in a number of cancer cell types, including lung adenocarcinoma, leukemia, oral squamous carcinoma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma .…”

“…Tea ( Camellia sinensis ) is a commonly used home remedy for sunburn, and Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis at 100% shows beneficial effects on all types of burn . Farnesol, a component of the plural sunburn gel evaluated in the current study, has previously been found to have topical or systemic anti‐fungal, anti‐bacterial, and inflammation‐modulating effects . These beneficial effects may explain our in vitro results that the gel containing 0.0025% farnesol, 0.5% HA, 0.5% XG, and 2.0% HPMC showed the strongest effects against UVB‐caused reduction in cell viability and accumulation of cell cycle.…”

“…IL‐2 and IL‐10 secreted by splenocytes were significantly increased as TNF‐α/IL‐10 ratio and IL‐4 were reduced. These results demonstrated that farnesol can modulate the cytokine system in vivo . Skin is the largest organ in human and animal bodies, and the balance between various cytokines produced by dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes in its paracrine system plays essential roles in connective tissue/extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and wound healing .…”

Nerolidol and Farnesol Inhibit Some Cytochrome P450 Activities but Did Not Affect Other Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes in Rat and Human Hepatic Subcellular Fractions

“…FAR has a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, chemo-preventive and anticancer effects. For example, FAR ameliorates serum allergic antibody titres and lipid profiles in ovalbumin-challenged mice [ 2 ], and might have an anti-inflammatory potential to allergic asthmatic mice [ 3 ]. FAR attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced neurodegeneration in mice by regulating intrinsic apoptotic cascade [ 4 ].…”

Farnesol activates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and the ATF4-ATF3-CHOP cascade of ER stress in human T lymphoblastic leukemia Molt4 cells

“…In addition to its anti-cancer effects, farnesol exhibits immunomodulatory properties. Recent studies showed that farnesol exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in a mouse model of allergic asthma and suppressed cellular adaptive immunity [21,22]. A different study reported that farnesol ameliorated cigarette smoke extract-induced inflammation and lung injury [23] and inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced neuro-degeneration [24].…”