Eucalyptus oil reduces allergic reactions and suppresses mast cell degranulation by downregulating IgE-FcεRI signalling

Abstract

Eucalyptus oil has been used since ancient times for its bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative effects. In recent years, the action of Eucalyptus oil has been scientifically proven, and there have been reports that Eucalyptus oil suppresses the production of chemokines, cytokines and lipid mediators in basophils, alveolar macrophages and monocytes. Based on this information, we aimed to verify whether Eucalyptus oil can be used for allergic dermatitis, the incidence of which has been increasing among human skin diseases. This effect was verified using a mouse IgE-mediated local allergic model. In conclusion, topical application of Eucalyptus oil suppressed oedema and vascular permeability enhancement due to IgE-mediated allergic on the skin. In addition, we also verified the degranuration of mast cells, which is a part of its action, and examined whether 1,8-cineole, which is the main component of Eucalyptus oil, suppresses the phosphorylation of PLCγ and p38 directly or indirectly. 1,8-cineole was found to suppress degranulation of mast cells.