Introduction:
1,8-cineole belongs to the bicyclic epoxy monoterpenes, more precisely the lime oxides. The organic compound is present as a colorless liquid. It is used in respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, chronic, acute sinusitis but also asthma and hay fever. In addition to the WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway and its central regulator protein GSK3alpha/beta, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were the focus of the investigations.
Methods:
To investigate the molecular influence of 1,8-cineole on inflammation-relevant signaling cascades in Polypsis nasi and HNSCC, extensive studies were performed at the RNA and protein level using PCR, microarray analysis, Western hybridization and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
The inhibitory effect of cineole on the activity of the WNT/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and thus ultimately on the progression of HNSCC and polyposis nasi, was demonstrated by a broad spectrum of cell and molecular biological analyzes. In addition, we were able to show that 1,8-cineol leads to a massive up-regulation of the TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) signal transduction pathway and to a marked upregulation of the TGFß (transforming growth factor) receptor. The TNF-alpha and TGF-beta signal transduction pathways have manifold functions and can stimulate cell death (apoptosis), cell proliferation, cell differentiation and secretion of various cytokines.
Conclusion:
The results obtained show a significant influence of 1,8-cineole on the molecular regulation of different inflammation-relevant biosynthetic pathways and thus open up numerous starting points for innovative therapeutic approaches.
