title: Structurally Related Monoterpenes p-Cymene, Carvacrol and Thymol Isolated from Essential Oil from Leaves of Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) Protect Mice against Elastase-Induced Emphysema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction and inflammation. Natural products, such as monoterpenes, displayed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities and can be used as a source of new compounds to COPD treatment. Our aim was to evaluate, in an elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice, the effects of and underlying mechanisms of three related natural monoterpenes (p-cymene, carvacrol and thymol) isolated from essential oil from leavesLippia sidoidesCham. (Verbenaceae).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mices received porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and were treated withp-cymene, carvacrol, thymol or vehicle 30 min later and again on 7th, 14th and 28th days. Lung inflammatory profile and histological sections were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the elastase-instilled animals, the tested monoterpenes reduced alveolar enlargement, macrophages and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and collagen fibers, MMP-9 and p-65-NF-κB-positive cells in lung parenchyma (p< 0.05). All treatments attenuated levels of 8-iso-PGF2α but only thymol was able to reduced exhaled nitric oxide (p< 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monoterpenesp-cymene, carvacrol and thymol reduced lung emphysema and inflammation in mice. No significant differences among the three monoterpenes treatments were found, suggesting that the presence of hydroxyl group in the molecular structure of thymol and carvacrol do not play a central role in the anti-inflammatory effects.
authors: Department of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil. ellengames@gmail.com.
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Games
authors: Department of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil. marinaguerreiro88@gmail.com.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Guerreiro
authors: Department of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil. fe.paula.roncon@gmail.com.
authors: Fernanda R
authors: FR
authors: Santana
authors: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246903, SP, Brazil. pinheiro.nathalia@gmail.com.
authors: Nathalia M
authors: NM
authors: Pinheiro
authors: Department of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil. dupontemerson@hotmail.com.
authors: Emerson A
authors: EA
authors: de Oliveira
authors: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246903, SP, Brazil. fernandadtqsl@gmail.com.
authors: Fernanda D T Q S
authors: FD
authors: Lopes
authors: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246903, SP, Brazil. clariceolivo@gmail.com.
authors: Clarice R
authors: CR
authors: Olivo
authors: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246903, SP, Brazil. iocalvo@uol.com.br.
authors: Iolanda F L C
authors: IF
authors: Tibério
authors: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246903, SP, Brazil. mmartins@usp.br.
authors: Mílton A
authors: MA
authors: Martins
authors: Department of Exact Science and Earth, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09913-030, Brazil. joaohglago@gmail.com.|Center of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC, Santo Andre 09606-045, SP, Brazil. joaohglago@gmail.com.
authors: João Henrique G
authors: JH
authors: Lago
authors: Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Santos 11015-020, SP, Brazil. carla.prado@unifesp.br.
authors: Carla M
authors: CM
authors: Prado
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D000081007:Cymenes; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004646:Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D032411:Lippia / Q000737:chemistry*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013943:Thymol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000081007:Cymenes; D007378:Interleukins; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; C007210:4-cymene; D013943:Thymol; C073316:carvacrol; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase
keywords: COPD; carvacrol; elastase-induced emphysema; lung inflammation; monoterpenes; p-cymene; thymol