title: 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), a monoterpene oxide attenuates the colonic damage in rats on acute TNBS-colitis.
abstract: The monoterpene oxide, 1,8-cineole (cineole, eucalyptol) was examined for its possible influence on the acute phase of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. The test compound, 1,8-cineole (200 and 400 mg/kg) or vehicle (1 ml, 2% Tween 80) was instilled rectally, 24, and 2 h before (pre-treatment) or 2 and 24 h after (post-treatment) the induction of colitis by intracolonic administration of TNBS (0.25 ml of 25 mg of TNBS in 50% ethanol). Rats were killed 48 h after colitis induction and colonic segments were analysed for gross damage scores, changes in wet weights, myeloperoxidase activity, an indicator of neutrophilic infiltration and glutathione level, a major cellular antioxidant. TNBS induced an extensive inflammation and ulceration in the colon. Colonic damage was associated with an increase in myeloperoxidase activity and by a decrease in glutathione. When compared to vehicle-treated TNBS controls, a marked reduction in gross damage scores and wet weights (mg/cm) of colonic segments were evident in animals pre-treated but not post-treated with 1,8-cineole. Cineole also significantly reduced the myeloperoxidase activity, and caused repletion of glutathione. These results confirm the anti-inflammatory action of 1,8-cineole and suggest its potential value as a dietary flavoring agent in the prevention of gastrointestinal inflammation and ulceration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dental and Nursery, Federal University of Ceará, CP 3157, 60430-270 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: De Araújo
authors.forename: R C P
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lima Júnior
authors.forename: V S N
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003092:Colitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D039821:Monoterpenes; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D009195:Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D000077591:Eucalyptol