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Citral-Enriched Fraction of Lemon Essential Oil Mitigates LPS-Induced Hepatocyte Injuries
Roberta Gasparro1, Marzia Pucci1, Elisa Costanzo1
1Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences, and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology, Via Divisi 83, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
Biology
|December 22, 2023
Summary
A citral-enriched fraction from lemon essential oil (LEO) effectively combats inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell changes in human liver cells. This finding supports LEO
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Molecular Biology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Background:
- Lemon essential oil (LEO) possesses known aromatic and health benefits.
- The biological activities of LEO fractions, particularly concerning liver health, are underexplored.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inducer of inflammation and cellular damage in hepatocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of a citral-enriched fraction from LEO (Cfr-LEO) against LPS-induced cellular damage in human hepatocytes.
- To evaluate Cfr-LEO's ability to mitigate inflammation, oxidative stress, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a human hepatocyte cell line.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying Cfr-LEO's protective actions.
Main Methods:
- Human immortalized hepatocytes (THLE-2 cell line) were utilized for in vitro experiments.
- Cells were pretreated with Cfr-LEO before exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Key markers of inflammation (NF-κB activation, cytokine release), oxidative stress (ROS production), and EMT (NRF2, p53 expression) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Cfr-LEO pretreatment significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammation by reducing NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release.
- Cfr-LEO effectively counteracted LPS-induced oxidative stress by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- Pretreatment with Cfr-LEO demonstrated a protective effect against LPS-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Conclusions:
- Cfr-LEO exhibits significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-EMT properties in human hepatocytes challenged with LPS.
- The findings highlight the potential of Cfr-LEO as a bioactive component for nutraceutical applications targeting liver health.
- This research provides a foundation for developing Cfr-LEO-enriched foods or beverages for preventing or managing liver dysfunction.
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