Effect of carvacrol on various cytokines genes expression in splenocytes of asthmatic mice

Objective(s):With regard to pharmacological effects of carvacrol on the respiratory system, its effect on cytokines genes expression in splenocytes of asthmatic mice was examined in this study. Materials and Methods:Splenocytes were isolated from non-sensitized (control group), sensitized mice to ovalbumin (OVA) (group S), and S animals treated with dexamethasone, and three concentrations of carvacrol. IL-۴, IFN-γ, TGF-β, FOXP۳, and IL-۱۷ genes expression were carried out in cultured splenocytes using the real-time PCR method. Results:Compared to the control group, IFN-γ and FOXP۳ genes expression were significantly decreased (P<۰.۰۰۱ for both cases), but IL-۴ and IL-۱۷ genes expression were significantly increased in the S group (P<۰.۰۰۱ and P<۰.۰۵, respectively). IL-۴ gene expression due to treatment of all concentrations of carvacrol, TGF-β gene expression due to its two higher concentrations, and IL-۱۷ gene expression due to its high concentration were significantly decreased compared to group S (P<۰.۰۱ to P<۰.۰۰۱). IFN-γ gene expression was significantly increased due to last carvacrol concentration (۳۰۰ µg/ml, P<۰.۰۱), and FOXP۳ due to its two last concentrations (۱۵۰ and ۳۰۰ µg/ml, P<۰.۰۵ and P<۰.۰۰۱, respectively) in treated S splenocytes. Dexamethasone treatment of sensitized splenocytes only showed significant inhibitory effect on IL-۴ and TGF-β genes expression (P<۰.۰۰۱ for both cases). Conclusion: These results showed the immunomodulatory effect of carvacrol indicating increased IFN-γ and FOXP۳ but decreased IL-۴, TGF-β, and IL-۱۷ genes expression, which was more selective than the effect of dexamethasone in sensitized mice splenocytes, which indicates its possible therapeutic value in allergy, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases.

Keywords:

Carvacrol , Cytokines , Gene expression , Real-time PCR , Splenocyte