title: Response of human ciliated respiratory cells to a mixture of menthol, eucalyptus oil and pine needle oil.
abstract: Nasal respiratory cells were harvested from 45 healthy individuals using a microcurette technique. Following harvest, cells were placed on microporous polycarbonate membranes and exposed for 30 min using a gas/liquid interface technique to a mixture of menthol, eucalyptus oil and pine needle oil (MEP), eucalyptus oil alone (ECO), and pine needle oil alone (PNO) at concentrations ranging between 0.2 and 11 g/m3. Ambient air served as control. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was assessed before and after exposure using video-interference-contrast microscopy. Control exposure to air (n = 10) did not alter CBF (7.1 +/- 0.9 Hz before and 7.0 +/- 0.9 Hz after exposure, -1.3% decrease), whereas a dose dependent decrease of CBF following exposure to MEP (max. decrease -22.6% at a concentration of 10 g/m3, p < 0.01), ECO (max. decrease -32.5% at a concentration of 7.5 g/m3, p < 0.01) and PNO (max. decrease -56.1% at a concentration of 9.4 g/m3, p < 0.01) was observed. The data show that essential oils in high concentrations can reduce in-vitro ciliary activity of human respiratory cells not protected by a mucus layer. These effects have to be verified by in vivo investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Medical School, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riechelmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brommer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D010938:Plant Oils; D008610:Menthol