Abstract
Beta-caryophyllene, an odoriferous bicyclic sesquiterpene found in various herbs and spices, is a ligand of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). Activation of the CB2 will decrease pain and we hypothesized that beta-caryophyllene can affect wound healing. Here we show that mice cutaneous wounds treated with beta-caryophyllene had enhanced re-epithelialization. The treated tissue showed higher cell proliferation and cells treated with beta-caryophyllene showed higher cell migration, suggesting that the higher re-epithelialization is due to the enhanced cell proliferation and cell migration. The treated tissues also had up-regulated genes for hair follicle bulge stem cells. Olfactory receptors were not involved in the enhanced wound healing, and beta-caryophyllene also activated TRP channel genes. There were sex differences in the impact of beta-caryophyllene. Our study suggests that chemical compounds included in essential oil have the capability to improve wound healing, an effect generated by synergetic impacts of multiple pathways.
