Zanthoxylum coreanum Essential Oil Inhibits DNP-BSA-Induced β-hexosaminidase Release and Overproduction of Intracellular Active Oxygen and Nitric Oxide

Abstract

Plant-derived compounds have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory abilities contained inhibited β-hexosaminidase, ROS and NO release. Essential oils are natural volatile complex compounds that are characterized by a strong scent and produced by aromatic plants as various plant-derived compounds. The essential oil extracted from Zanthoxylum coreanum Nakai (Z. coreanum) has various functional properties; however, little information is available regarding its anti-allergic inflammatory. A total of 17 compounds were detected in Z. coreanum oil, and the main component was estragole (50.86%). The tested Z. coreanum oil and estragole statistically inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase induced by antigen stimulation in RBL-2H3 cells. This Z. coreanum oil and estragole may stimulate the secretion of active oxygen (ROS) or nitric oxide (NO) which are considered to involved in anti-inflammatory events. Moreover, it is suggested that Z. coreanum oil and estragole may negatively control the production of SNARE proteins (VAMP7) at the tran-scriptional and translational levels in common. These results demonstrate that Z. coreanum oil and its major component, estragole, possess potent anti-inflammatory abilities that are coupled with antioxidant properties.