title: Alpha-phellandrene promotes immune responses in normal mice through enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and natural killer cell activities.
abstract: α-Phellandrene, a natural compound from natural plants, has been used in the food and perfume industry. We investigated the effects of α-phellandrene on the immune responses on normal murine cells in vivo. Normal BALB/c mice were treated orally with or without α-phellandrene at 0, 1, 5 and 25 mg/kg and olive oil as a positive control for two weeks. Results indicated that α-phellandrene did not change the weight of animals when compared to olive oil (vehicle for α-phellandrene)-treated groups. After flow cytometric assay of blood samples it was shown that α-phellandrene increased the percentage of CD3 (T-cell marker), CD11b (monocytes) and MAC3 (macrophages), but reduced the percentage of CD19 (B-cell marker) cell surface markers in α-phellandrene-treated groups, compared to untreated groups. α-Phellandrene promoted the phagocytosis of macrophages from blood samples at 5 and 25 mg/kg treatment and promoted natural killer cell activity from splenocytes at 25 mg/kg. Furthermore, α-phellandrene increased B-cell proliferation at 25 mg/kg with or without stimulation but promoted cell proliferation only at 25 mg/kg treatment with stimulation. Based on these observations, 25 mg/kg with α-phellandrene seems to have promoted immune responses in this murine model.
authors.affiliation: China Medical University, No 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan. Tel: +886 422053366 ext. 2161, jgchung@mail.cmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Jen-Jyh
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ju-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shu-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Shu-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Yi-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Nou-Ying
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jaung-Geng
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jing-Gung
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D039821:Monoterpenes; C005403:alpha phellandrene
keywords: BALB/c mice; macrophage; natural killer cells; phagocytosis; α-Phellandrene