Effects of safrole on the defensive functions of human neutrophils.
The effects of safrole on the defensive functions of human neutrophils were examined. At the concentrations employed in this study, safrole did not significantly affect the viability of peripheral blood neutrophils as verified by their ability to exclude trypan blue dye. However, exposure of neutrophils to safrole inhibited their bactericidal activity against oral pathogens, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans, in a dose dependent manner. In addition, safrole inhibited the production of bactericidal superoxide anion by neutrophils as measured by cytochrome c reduction. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that safrole reduced the antibacterial activity and the superoxide anion production of neutrophils. Inhibition of the defensive functions of neutrophils may be one possible mechanism by which safrole compromises the oral health.
Hung
Shan-Ling
SL
Institute of Oral Biology and Faculty of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. slhung@ym.edu.tw
Chen
Yu-Ling
YL
Chen
Yen-Ting
YT
D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012451:Safrole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013997:Time Factors; D014343:Trypan Blue
D002273:Carcinogens; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010938:Plant Oils; D013481:Superoxides; D014343:Trypan Blue; D012451:Safrole