The Inhibitory Effect of Satureja khozestanica Essential Oil and Carvacrol on Nitric Oxide Production in Macrophage Cell Line

Background: Satureja khozestanica is among the native Iranian plants which grow mostly in Lorestan and Khozestan. A number of reports show that Satureja plant possesses anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Satureja khozestanica essential oil on nitric oxide in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide in J774A.1 macrophage-like cell line.

Materials and Methods: J774A.1 cells are cultured at a concentration of 10⁶ cells per ml in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal Bovin serum. Then, the cells were treated in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (1µg/ml) containing 0.004%, 0.008%, and 0.016% doses of Satureja essential oil and 0.004, 0.008, and 0.016 macromolar of carvacrol over 12, 24, and 48 hours. Next, the level of nitric oxide in the cell culture supernatant was measured using Griess’s technique.

Results: The results showed that Satureja khozestanica extract significantly decreased the production of nitric oxide in J774A.1 macrophage cell line, dependent on dose and time. In addition, in the presence of lipopolysaccharide, Satureja khozestanica extract inhibited the production of nitric oxide more effectively than carvacrol.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that Satureja khozestanica essential oil is effective in lowering inflammation through inhibition of nitric oxide production. Therefore, this extract may be effectual in treatment of inflammatory diseases.