Cardiotoxicity of (-)-borneol, (+)-borneol, and isoborneol in zebrafish embryos is associated with Na+ /K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ -ATPase inhibition.

Borneol is an example of traditional Chinese medicine widely used in Asia. There are different isomers of chiral borneol in the market, but its toxicity and effects need further study. In this study, we used zebrafish embryos to examine the effects of exposure to three isomers of borneol [(-)-borneol, (+)-borneol, and isoborneol] on heart development and the association with Na+ /K+ -ATPase from 4 h post-fertilization (4 hpf). The results showed that the three isomers of borneol increased mortality and decreased hatching rate when the zebrafish embryo developed to 72 hpf. All three isomers of borneol (0.01-1.0 mM) significantly reduced heart rate from 48 to 120 hpf and reduced the expression of genes related to Ca2+ -ATPase (cacna1ab and cacna1da) and Na+ /K+ -ATPase (atp1b2b, atp1a3b, and atp1a2). At the same time, the three isomers of borneol significantly reduced the activities of Ca2+ -ATPase and Na+ /K+ -ATPase at 0.1 to 1.0 mM. (+)-Borneol caused the most significant reduction (p < 0.05), followed by isoborneol and (-)-borneol. Na+ /K+ -ATPase was mainly expressed in otic vesicles and protonephridium. All three isomers of borneol reduced Na+ /K+ -ATPase mRNA expression, but isoborneol was the most significant (p < 0.01). Our results indicated that (+)-borneol was the least toxic of the three isomers while the isoborneol showed the most substantial toxic effect, closely related to effects on Na+ /K+ -ATPase.

Bioactivity of some Apiaceae essential oils and their constituents against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Sitophilus zeamais is a key pest of stored grains. Its control is made, usually, using synthetic insecticides, despite their negative impacts. Botanical insecticides with fumigant/repellent properties may offer an alternative solution. This work describes the effects of Anethum graveolens, Petroselinum crispum, Foeniculum vulgare and Cuminum cyminum essential oils (EOs) and (S)-carvone, cuminaldehyde, estragole and (+)-fenchone towards adults of S. zeamais. Acute toxicity was assessed by fumigation and topical application. Repellence was evaluated by an area preference bioassay and two-choice test, using maize grains. LC50 determined by fumigation ranged from 51.8 to 535.8 mg L-1 air, with (S)-carvone being the most active. LD50 values for topical applications varied from 23 to 128 µg per adult for (S)-carvone > cuminaldehyde > A. graveolens > C. cyminum > P. crispum. All EOs/standard compounds reduced significantly the percentage of insects attracted to maize grains (65-80%) in the two-choice repellence test, whereas in the area preference bioassay RD50 varied from 1.4 to 45.2 µg cm-2, with cuminaldehyde, (S)-carvone and estragole being strongly repellents. Petroselinum crispum EO and cuminaldehyde affected the nutritional parameters relative growth rate, efficiency conversion index of ingested food and antifeeding effect, displaying antinutritional effects toward S. zeamais. In addition, P. crispum and C. cyminum EOs, as well as cuminaldehyde, showed the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in vitro (IC50 = 185, 235 and 214.5 µg mL-1, respectively). EOs/standard compounds exhibited acute toxicity, and some treatments showed antinutritional effects towards S. zeamais. Therefore, the tested plant products might be good candidates to be considered to prevent damages caused by this pest.

Oral 1-Generation Rat Reproduction Study of Isobornyl Acetate: An Evaluation Through Sexual Maturity in the F1 Generation.

Reproductive toxicity of isobornyl acetate (IA), a widely used fragrance ingredient, was investigated in a 1-generation reproduction study in which 25 Crl: CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats/sex/group were gavaged with dosages of 0 (corn oil vehicle), 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg/d during premating, mating, gestation, and lactation. After weaning, 25 F1 generation pups/sex/dosage group were randomly selected for evaluation until sexual maturity. The following parameters were evaluated in P generation males and females: viability, clinical signs, body weights, feed consumption, mating and fertility, organ weights, gross and microscopic observations, sperm assessments (motility and concentration), natural delivery and litter observations, and ovarian follicle counts. In F1 generation pups, viability, body weights, sexual maturation, anogenital distance (days 1 and 22 postpartum), nipple eruption (day 12 postpartum), and gross necropsy observations were recorded. Isobornyl acetate did not adversely affect any of the investigated parameters. Based on the results of this investigation, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for toxicity of IA is considered to be 300 mg/kg/d. Increased incidences of excess salivation occurred in P generation male and female rats at 100 and/or 300 mg/kg/d throughout the dosage period, and low incidences of urine-stained abdominal fur were seen in females at 300 mg/kg/d during the gestation period. These clinical signs were not considered as adverse effects of IA administration. Thus, the NOAEL for reproductive toxicity in the P generation rats and the NOAEL for viability and growth of the F1 generation offspring is considered to be ≥300 mg/kg/d.

Effect of borneol on the transdermal permeation of drugs with differing lipophilicity and molecular organization of stratum corneum lipids.

The aim of the present paper was to investigate the promoting activity of borneol on the transdermal permeation of drugs with differing lipophilicity, and probe its alterations in molecular organization of stratum corneum (SC) lipids. The toxicity of borneol was evaluated in epidermal keratinocyte HaCaT and dermal fibroblast CCC-HSF-1 cell cultures and compared to known enhancers, and its irritant profile was also assessed by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) evaluation. The promoting effect of borneol on the transdermal permeation of five model drugs, namely 5-fluorouracil, antipyrine, aspirin, salicylic acid and ibuprofen, which were selected based on their lipophilicity denoted by logp value, were performed using in vitro skin permeation studies. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was employed to monitor the borneol-induced alteration in molecular organization of SC lipids. The enhancer borneol displayed lower cytotoxicity or irritation in comparison to the well-established and standard enhancer Azone. Borneol could effectively promote the transdermal permeation of five model drugs, and its enhancement ratios were found to be parabolic curve with the logp values of drugs, which exhibited the optimum permeation activity for relatively hydrophilic drugs (an estimated logp value of -0.5 ∼0.5). The molecular mechanism studies suggested that borneol could perturb the structure of SC lipid alkyl chains, and extract part of SC lipids, resulting in the alteration in the skin permeability barrier.

Combined use of borneol or menthol with labrasol promotes penetration of baicalin through rabbit cornea in vitro.

The permeability of most drugs through the eyes is very limited, so finding safe and effective penetration enhancers is of high importance in current ophthalmology research. In this paper, we use a new approach that integrates Chinese and Western medicine to improve the corneal permeability of baicalin, a water- and fat-insoluble target drug, in vitro. Rabbits were divided into three groups. The first group was dosed with borneol (0.05%, 0.1%). menthol (0.1%, 0.2%), or Labrasol (1%, 2%) individually, the second was dosed with a combination of Labrasol with either borneol or menthol, and the third group received a control treatment. Compared with the control treatment, borneol, menthol, or Labrasol alone clearly improved the permeability of baicalin in vitro. Furthermore, the penetrating effects were significantly increased by combining the application of Labrasol with menthol or borneol. Among the various combined penetration enhancers, 0.1% borneol with 2% Labrasol achieved the best apparent permeability, approximately 16.35 times that of the control. Additionally, the calculation of corneal hydration level and the Draize test demonstrated the safety of these penetration enhancers to the rabbit corneas in vivo. This study confirms that the combined use of borneol or menthol, compounds both derived from Chinese herbs, with Labrasol can improve the corneal permeability of water- and fat-insoluble drugs.

In vivo and in vitro genotoxicity assessment of 2-methylisoborneol, causal agent of earthy-musty taste and odor in water.

The water eutrophication process by phosphorus and nitrogen allows cyanobacteria blooms which promote, among other effects, the generation and release of the metabolite 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) in the environment. This substance has been shown to be recalcitrant to conventional water treatment, degrading water quality. Considering the limited number of studies on the biological effects of 2-MIB in eukaryotic organisms, the present study assessed the genotoxicity of 2-MIB using the in vitro comet assay and cytokinesis block-micronucleus (CBMN-Cytome) assay on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and the in vivo Drosophila melanogaster Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART). The results showed that 2-MIB (125, 250 and 500 µg/mL) was unable to induce gene and chromosome mutations or events associated with mitotic recombination in the SMART. Similarly, four different concentrations (7.5, 15, 30 and 60 µg/mL) of 2-MIB did not induce increments in frequencies of micronuclei, nuclear buds, and nucleoplasmatic bridges in the CBMN-Cytome assay. In the comet assay, the positive results were restricted to the highest dose, 60 µg/mL of 2-MIB. The results obtained may help evaluate the genotoxic profile of extracellular algal products.

Histology and transcriptomic analysis reveal the inflammation and affected pathways under 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) exposure on grass carp.

2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) is a common and widely distributed off-flavor compound in water. However, the toxic mechanisms of 2-MIB on aquatic organisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, grass carp larvae were exposed to different concentrations (0, 5, and 20 µg L-1) of 2-MIB for 96 h. The accumulation of 2-MIB in the dorsal muscle was measured. Histological analysis, ultrastructure observations, and transcriptomic sequencing were conducted on the liver tissues. The results showed that 2-MIB accumulated significantly in the fish muscle, with the accumulation increasing as the exposure concentration increased through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection. Histological and ultrastructure observations indicated that 2-MIB caused concentration-dependent inflammatory infiltration and mitochondrial damage in the liver. Transcriptomic analysis revealed lipid metabolism disorders induced by exposure to 2-MIB in grass carp. Additionally, 5 µg L-1 2-MIB affected the neurodevelopment and cardiovascular system of grass carp larvae through extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathway. Furthermore, several pathways related to the digestive system were significantly enriched, implying that 2-MIB may impact pancreatic secretion function, protein digestion and absorption processes. These findings provide new insights into the potential toxicological mechanisms of 2-MIB.

[Preparation of self-microemulsion drug delivery system of the mixture of paeonol and borneol based on Xingbi Fang].

The aim of this study is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of the mixture of paeonol (Pae) and borneol (Bor). Solubility test, ternary phase diagrams and simplex lattice method were employed to screen and optimize the formulation of the mixture of Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS. After formed into microemulsions, the particle diameter (PD) was determined and a TEM was employed to observe the microemulsions' morphology. The contents of Pae and Bor were determined by gas chromatography. As a result, while ethyl oleate (EO) as the oil phase, cremophor EL35 (EL35) as surfactant and Transcutol HP (HP) as cosurfactant, the range of the microemulsion on the ternary phase diagram was larger than other combinations. And at a ratio of 20:45:35, the microemulsions' PD was about 34 nm and the polydispersity index (PI) was about 0.2. There were 16% of Pae, 2% of Bor, 16% of EO, 37% of EL35 and 29% of HP in the prepared SMEDDS. The preparation process of the Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS based on Xingbi Fang is simple and feasible. This study provides a reference for the researches on the related traditional Chinese medicine and the related components.

MT103 inhibits tumor growth with minimal toxicity in murine model of lung carcinoma via induction of apoptosis.

Molecular topology (MT) was used to develop quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models to screen databases for new anticancer compounds. One of the selected compounds was MT103, an isoborneol derivative, with a promising profile predicted to slow tumor growth through pro-apoptotic signaling and protein kinase C inhibition. We found that MT103 inhibited the growth of a wide variety of cancer cell types as verified by the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. MTT cell viability assay showed that MT103 inhibited 50% of the growth of HOP-92, ACHN, NCI-H226, MCF-7, and A549 cancer cell lines at much lower concentrations than that required for HUVECs and human fibroblasts. MT103 stimulated apoptosis in NCI-H226 lung carcinoma cells as measured by oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. However, protein kinase C was not targeted by MT103, as predicted by in silico modeling. MT103 slowed in vivo tumor growth and metastatic spread of NCI-H226 cells injected subcutaneously into NOD/SCID mice, without eliciting any severe adverse events as monitored by animal survival, blood serum analysis, and histological analysis of organs. Oral administration of MT103 nanoparticles (200 nm in diameter), which were generated with ElectroNanospray™ technology, inhibited in vivo growth of HOP-92 lung carcinoma cells almost as effectively as intraperitoneal injections of cisplatin. Taken together, our study of a novel anti-cancer drug identified using a molecular topology-based approach to drug discovery demonstrates that MT103 has anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo, although additional studies are needed to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Identification of camphor oxidation and reduction products in Pseudomonas putida: new activity of the cytochrome P450cam system.

P450 enzymes are known for catalyzing hydroxylation reactions of non-activated C-H bonds. For example, P450(cam) from Pseudomonas putida oxidizes (1R)-(+)-camphor to 5-exo-hydroxy camphor and further to 5-ketocamphor. This hydroxylation reaction proceeds via a catalytic cycle in which the reduction of dioxygen (O(2)) is coupled to the oxidation of the substrate. We have observed that under conditions of low oxygen, P. putida and isolated P450(cam) reduce camphor to borneol. We characterized the formation of borneol under conditions of low oxygen or when the catalytic cycle is shunted by artificial oxidants like m-chloro perbenzoic acid, cumene hydroperoxide, etc. We also tested the toxicity of camphor and borneol with P. putida and Escherichia coli. We have found that in P. putida borneol is less toxic than camphor, whereas in E. coli borneol is more toxic than camphor. We discuss a potental ecological advantage of the camphor reduction reaction for P. putida.

Salvianic borneol ester reduces ß-amyloid oligomers and prevents cytotoxicity.

CONTEXT: The destabilization of ß-amyloid (Aß) peptide aggregates and the protection of functional cells are the attractive therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some active ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba C.Y.Wu & H.W.Li (Lamiaceae) (SM) have attracted increasing attention for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: Salvianic borneol ester (SBE) is a new compound based on SM formulas. The present study was designed to examine the anti-amyloid effects and neuroprotection of SBE in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The destabilizing effects of SBE and its related compounds (salvianic acid A and borneol) on preformed Aß oligomers were measured by using fluorescence spectroscopy with thioflavin T (ThT) and the destabilizing effects of SBE were further confirmed visually by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The neuroprotective effects of SBE against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and motor neuron hybridoma cells (VSC 4.1) were shown by MTT assay and morphological observation. RESULTS: SBE showed the most significant destabilizing effect, though the mixture of salvianic acid A and borneol also destabilized Aß1-40 oligomers. The destabilizing activity of salvianic acid A or borneol alone was not significant. SBE destabilized Aß1-40 oligomers in dose- and time-dependent manners and the destabilizing effect could also be seen in the photographs of TEM. Furthermore, SBE could protect SH-SY5Y cells and VSC 4.1 cells against H(2)O(2)-induced toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: SBE had the bifunctional activities of anti-amyloid and neuroprotection. It may have therapeutic potential for AD and be an alternative lead compound for developing new drugs against AD.

Chemical entrapment and killing of insects by bacteria.

Actinobacteria produce antibacterial and antifungal specialized metabolites. Many insects harbour actinobacteria on their bodies or in their nests and use these metabolites for protection. However, some actinobacteria produce metabolites that are toxic to insects and the evolutionary relevance of this toxicity is unknown. Here we explore chemical interactions between streptomycetes and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We find that many streptomycetes produce specialized metabolites that have potent larvicidal effects against the fly; larvae that ingest spores of these species die. The mechanism of toxicity is specific to the bacterium's chemical arsenal: cosmomycin D producing bacteria induce a cell death-like response in the larval digestive tract; avermectin producing bacteria induce paralysis. Furthermore, low concentrations of volatile terpenes like 2-methylisoborneol that are produced by streptomycetes attract fruit flies such that they preferentially deposit their eggs on contaminated food sources. The resulting larvae are killed during growth and development. The phenomenon of volatile-mediated attraction and specialized metabolite toxicity suggests that some streptomycetes pose an evolutionary risk to insects in nature.

Influence of borneol on primary mice oral fibroblasts: a penetration enhancer may be used in oral submucous fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Borneol, a widely used food and cosmetics additive, has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and penetration enhancing effects. We try to use it as a penetration enhancer for a formula which we have used to treat oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). To assess its safety, we investigate its effects on primary mice oral fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary mice oral fibroblasts were cultured, the effects of borneol on fibroblasts proliferation, cytotoxicity, collagen production, matrix metalloproteinases-2,9 (MMP-2,9) activities and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) production were tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, lactic dehydrogenase activity assay, chloramine T method, gelatin zymography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: Borneol, from 18.75 to 300 microg/ml, could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease the growth of fibroblasts and very significantly (P < 0.01) inhibit collagen production in a concentration dependant manner. From 18.75 to 150 microg/ml, borneol had no cytotoxicity on mice oral fibroblasts. Moreover borneol could significantly (P < 0.05) decrease MMP-2 activity, and very significantly (P < 0.01) inhibit TIMP-1 production. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that borneol has anti-fibrosis activity and the mechanism may partly be relevant to its inhibiting effects on fibroblasts mitosis, collagen and TIMP-1 production. It can be safely used as a penetration enhancer for our formula to treat OSF.

Investigation of anti-oxidative, cytotoxic, DNA-damaging and DNA-protective effects of plant volatiles eugenol and borneol in human-derived HepG2, Caco-2 and VH10 cell lines.

Plant volatiles, which can get into the human organism in food, medicines, or cosmetic preparations, frequently manifest antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and other effects. We studied anti-oxidative, cytotoxic, genotoxic and possible DNA-protective effects of eugenol and borneol. Anti-oxidative activities of aqueous and ethanolic solutions of these two volatile compounds of plants were determined by a spectrophotometric method by the use of the stable DPPH radical. Borneol did not show any anti-oxidative activity even at the highest concentrations soluble in water or ethanol (<1000mM), while eugenol did manifest anti-oxidative activity, and at much lower concentrations (5-100 microM). The cytotoxicity of eugenol and borneol as well as their DNA-damaging effects and their influence on sensitivity of cells against the DNA-damaging effects of H(2)O(2) were investigated in three different cell lines, i.e. malignant HepG2 hepatoma cells, malignant Caco-2 colon cells, and nonmalignant human VH10 fibroblasts. The trypan-blue exclusion assay showed that in the three cell lines the cytotoxicity of eugenol was significantly higher than that of borneol. Single-cell gel electrophoresis revealed that borneol did not cause any DNA strand-breaks at the concentrations studied, but showed that all concentrations of eugenol (<600 microM) significantly increased the level of DNA breaks in human VH10 fibroblasts and to a lower degree in Caco-2 colon cells. The DNA-damaging effects of eugenol were not observed in metabolically active HepG2 hepatoma cells. Borneol and eugenol differed also with respect to their DNA-protective effects. While borneol protected HepG2 and, to a lesser extent, VH10 cells (but not Caco-2) against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage, eugenol either did not change the cellular sensitivity to H(2)O(2) (HepG2 cells) or it even increased the sensitivity (Caco-2 and VH10 cells). These results do not indicate any correlation between the DNA-protective and the anti-oxidative capacities of eugenol and borneol.

Comparing the mutagenicity of toxaphene after aging in anoxic soils and accumulating in fish.

A test program was conducted to evaluate the mutagenicity of toxaphene residuals extracted from aged soils and from fish collected in creeks near a toxaphene-contaminated site. The ultimate objective was to determine if the residual toxaphene congeners were more or less mutagenic than those in technical-grade toxaphene. The study showed that the mutagenicity of the bioaccumulated toxaphene congeners in fish, expressed as colony revertants per microg of residual toxaphene, was no greater than that of technical-grade toxaphene. The mutagenic impact of the toxaphene residuals in aged soil statistically was less than that for technical-grade toxaphene. Two specific congeners, a hexachlorobornane (labeled Hx-Sd) and a heptachlorobornane (labeled Hp-Sd), were found to accumulate over time in both soil and fish extracts, but did not show increased mutagenic impacts relative to that produced by technical-grade toxaphene.

Influence of borneol on in vitro corneal permeability and on in vivo and in vitro corneal toxicity.

This study examined whether borneol could enhance corneal drug permeability. Model drugs containing either synthetic or natural borneol were co-administered to isolated intact or de-epithelialized rabbit corneas and the apparent permeability coefficients were measured. Draize tests in rabbits and levels of isolated intact rabbit corneal hydration were used to measure in vivo and in vitro toxicity, respectively. Synthetic borneol (0.1%) increased corneal penetration of the lipophilic agents, indomethacin and dexamethasone, by 1.23 and 2.40, respectively, and of the hydrophilic agents, ofloxacin, ribavirin and tobramycin, by 1.87, 2.80 and 3.89, respectively. For natural borneol, the corresponding fold increases were 1.67, 2.00, 2.15, 2.18 and 3.39, respectively. Removing the epithelium attenuated the penetration-enhancing effects of borneol. Borneol (0.1%) did not damage corneal tissue. The ability of borneol to enhance drug penetration through the outer corneal layer, particularly for highly-hydrophilic drugs, suggests that further clinical investigation may be warranted.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol using cultured human, monkey, and dog cells.

The cytotoxicity of musty odor-emitting substances, geosmin (GM) and 2-methylisoborneol, at a concentration of 10 ng/L - 300 mg/L was investigated using cultured mammalian cells. These two compounds exhibited no cytotoxicity in either the colony-formation of human KB cells or WST-1 assays of human-, monkey-, and dog-derived cells. These results suggest that the maximum concentration (700 ng/L) of GM found in the water of Lake Shinji is not toxic.

Fragrance material review on borneol.

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of borneol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.

Fragrance material review on l-borneol.

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of l-borneol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.

Fragrance material review on isoborneol.

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of isoborneol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.