α-(-)-bisabolol reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production and ameliorates skin inflammation

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2014;15(2):173-81. doi: 10.2174/1389201015666140528152946.

Abstract

α-(-)-bisabolol is a natural monocyclic sesquiterpene present in the essential oil has generated considerable interest in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and currently in use in various formulations, mainly in cosmetics. This study was undertaken to evaluate its therapeutic profile against skin inflammation using in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assays. Lipopolysachharide (LPS) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in macrophage cells as well as in TPA-induced skin inflammation in mice was significantly inhibited by α-(-)-bisabolol. TPA-induced ear thickness, ear weight and lipid peroxidation and histopathological damage in the ear tissue were also significantly inhibited by topical application of α-(-)-bisabolol in a dose dependent manner. In-vitro and in-vivo toxicity profiles indicate that it is safe for topical application on skin. Molecular docking study also revealed its strong binding affinity to the active site of the pro-inflammatory proteins. These findings suggested that α-(-)-bisabolol may be a useful therapeutic candidate for the treatment of skin inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / drug therapy*
  • Edema / immunology
  • Edema / pathology
  • Female
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / drug effects
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • Rabbits
  • Sesquiterpenes* / pharmacology
  • Sesquiterpenes* / therapeutic use
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • bisabolol
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate