Unveiling the anti-inflammatory power of star anise-cinnamon compound essential oil against MDR Salmonella
Ziheng Xu1,2,3, Jie Zhang4, Rongdian Lin2
1Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Introduction:
This study aimed to investigate the antiinfi ammatory effects and potential molecular mechanisms of star anise-cinnamon compound essential oil (SCEO) against multidrug-resistant Salmonella Thompson (MDR S. Thompson) infection in mice.
Methods:
An intestinal infection model was established in mice by oral gavage of MDR S. Thompson (1×109 CFU/mL) for two consecutive days. Experimental animals were randomly assigned to a blank group, a model group, a levofioxacin group (positive control), and SCEO low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (100, 200, and 400mg/kg, respectively).
Results And Discussion:
SCEO intervention significantly alleviated clinical symptoms in infected mice, restored pathological damage in the liver and ileum, and normalized the liver index. Gas chromatography-mass spectrom- etry (GC-MS) analysis identified trans-cinnamaldehyde and trans-anethole as the primary active components of SCEO. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed strong binding affinities between these components and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), RELA, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) (Vina score < -5.0 kcal/mol). Further in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SCEO significantly downregulated the mRNA expression of key cytokines, including Tlr4, interleukin-6 (Il6), tumor necrosis factor (Tnf), and interleukin-17A (Il17a), and suppressed the overactivation of the TLR4/nuclear factor kappa-B (NFĸB)/MAPK signaling pathway. SCEO effectively alleviated Salmonella-induced infiammatory damage, a protective process potentially me- diated through the modulation of the TLR4/NFĸB/MAPK signaling axis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of SCEO as a natural, plant-derived anti-infective agent.
Insights
Star anise-cinnamon compound essential oil (SCEO) effectively combats multidrug-resistant Salmonella Thompson infection in mice by reducing inflammation. SCEO modulates the TLR4/NFĸB/MAPK signaling pathway, offering a potential natural anti-infective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Thompson (MDR S. Thompson) poses a significant threat to public health.
- Investigating natural compounds for anti-infective properties is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of star anise-cinnamon compound essential oil (SCEO) against MDR S. Thompson infection in a mouse model.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying SCEO's protective effects.
Main Methods:
- An intestinal infection model was established in mice using MDR S. Thompson.
- Mice were treated with varying doses of SCEO, levofloxacin, or a control.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo/in vitro experiments were employed.
Main Results:
- SCEO significantly alleviated clinical symptoms and restored pathological damage in infected mice.
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde and trans-anethole were identified as key active components of SCEO.
- SCEO downregulated key inflammatory cytokine expression and suppressed the TLR4/NFĸB/MAPK signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- SCEO exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and anti-infective effects against MDR S. Thompson.
- The protective mechanism involves the modulation of the TLR4/NFĸB/MAPK signaling axis.
- SCEO represents a promising natural, plant-derived agent for combating Salmonella infections.
