Effect of lavender essential oil on LPS-stimulated inflammation

Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(4):845-59. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X12500632.

Abstract

Lavender essential oil (LEO) is one the most favorite and widely used essential oils in aromatherapy. Many studies have demonstrated its functions in calming, assisting sleep, reducing pain and muscular spasms and its antiseptic function. To date, however, the mechanism of LEO on inflammation response is not well understood. In this study, we examined the effect of LEO on 5 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation reaction in human monocyte THP-1 cells. We found treatment of 0.1% LEO significantly increased cell viability and inhibited the IL-1β and superoxide anion generation in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Treatment with LEO down-regulated both LPS-induced protein levels of phospho-NF-κB and membrane Toll-like receptor 4. To determine whether the chaperone protein was involved in the reaction, we determined the levels of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70). Our results showed that LEO increased HSP70 expression in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells, suggesting that the LEO inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory effect might be associated with the expression of HSP70.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Lavandula
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology
  • Oils, Volatile / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • lavender oil