Effects of a combination of thyme and oregano essential oils on TNBS-induced colitis in mice.
We examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the combination of thyme and oregano essential oil dietary administered at three concentrations (0.4% thyme and 0.2% oregano oils; 0.2% thyme and 0.1% oregano oils; 0.1% thyme and 0.05% oregano oils) on mice with TNBS-induced colitis. Treatment of colitic animals with the essential oils decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, GM-CSF, and TNFalpha, especially after application of the medium dose. The medium dose of the essential oils significantly lowered the amount of IL-1beta and IL-6 proteins too. Moreover, administration of the medium dose decreased the mortality rate, accelerated the body weight gain recovery, and reduced the macroscopic damage of the colonic tissue. Our results indicate that combined treatment with appropriate concentrations of thyme and oregano essential oils can reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and thereby attenuate TNBS-induced colitis in mice.
Bukovská
Alexandra
A
Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Soltésovej 4-6, Kosice 04001, Slovakia.
Cikos
Stefan
S
Juhás
Stefan
S
Il'ková
Gabriela
G
Rehák
Pavol
P
Koppel
Juraj
J
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry*; D031341:Origanum / Q000737:chemistry*; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid