caryophyllene and Sepsis

Sepsis is a set of serious organic manifestations caused by an infection, whose progression culminates in exacerbated inflammation and oxidative stress, poor prognosis, and high hospital costs. Antioxidants used against sepsis have been evaluated, including essential oils such as β-caryophyllene (BCP), and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the association of these two compounds.. Treatment with BCP-DHA, at a dose of 200 μL/animal, significantly inhibited the migration of neutrophils in a Cg-induced peritonitis model. After Staphylococcus aureus infection, in the groups treated with BCP-DHA there was a significant decrease in the total and differential count of leukocytes, increased expression of cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in treated groups, an increase of IL-4 and IL-5 in B/D and B/D + SA groups, and an augmentation of IL-6 and IL-12 groups in B/D + SA groups. Histological and bacterial analysis revealed lower neutrophil migration and lower bacterial load in the infected and treated groups.. In general, the BCP-DHA association presented anti-inflammatory activity against two different models of acute inflammation and infection, showing promising potential as a therapeutic adjuvant in sepsis. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Interleukin-12; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neutrophils; Peritonitis; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; Sepsis; Sesquiterpenes; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Sepsis is a clinical condition resulting from a dysregulated immune response to an infection that leads to organ dysfunction. Despite numerous efforts to optimize treatment, sepsis remains to be the main cause of death in most intensive care units. The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in inflammation. Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) activation is immunosuppressive, which might be beneficial during the hyper-inflammatory phase of sepsis. Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a non-psychoactive natural cannabinoid (phytocannabinoid) found in Cannabis sativa and in essential oils of spices and food plants, that acts as a selective agonist of CB2R. We propose BCP administration as novel treatment to reduce hyper-inflammation in human sepsis.

Topics: Animals; Cannabinoids; Humans; Models, Biological; Phytotherapy; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; Sepsis; Sesquiterpenes