Interstitial cystitis (IC) has a chronic chemical irritation and inflammation of non-bacterial
origin in the bladder wall leading to various severe symptoms. There is evidence that
chronic inflammation is significantly associated with abnormal urothelial barrier
function, epithelial dysfunction. This is the underlying cause of urothelial apoptosis
and sterile inflammation.The anti-inflammatory effects of lavender and eucalyptus
essential oils (EOs) and their main components (linalool and eucalyptol) were investigated
in the T24 human bladder epithelial cell line on TNFα stimulated inflammation, at
3 types of treatment schedule. The mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6,
IL-8) were measured by Real Time PCR. Human IL-8 ELISA measurement was performed as
well at 3 types of treatment schedule. The effects of lavender and eucalyptus EOs
and their main components were compared to the response to NFκB inhibitor ACHP (2-amino-6-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-6-hydroxyphenyl]-4-(4-piperidinyl)-3-pyridinecarbonitrile).There
is no significant difference statistically, but measurements show that lavender EOs
are more effective than eucalyptus EO. Long time treatment (24 h) of both lavender
EO and linalool showed higher effect in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA
expression than ACHP inhibitor following TNFα pre-treatment. Moreover, both lavender
EOs were found to be significantly more effective in decreasing IL-8 secretion of
T24 cells after TNFα pre-treatment compared to the ACHP NFκB-inhibitor.The lavender
EOs may be suitable for use as an adjunct to intravesical therapy of IC. Their anti-inflammatory
effect could well complement glycosaminoglycan-regenerative therapy in the urinary
bladder after appropriate pharmaceutical formulation.
