Camphor elicits up-regulation of hepatic and pulmonary pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines via activation of NF-kB in rats.

Consumption of camphor infusions is widely used as an aphrodisiac in preparation for sexual intercourse, to boost performance. There is dearth of information associating or relating its consumption to liver or lung inflammation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of various doses of camphor in an acute study, on hepatic and pulmonary levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in male wistar rats. Following administration, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight camphor significantly increase liver and lung levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in a dose dependent manner compared with control, while interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels were significantly increased only by 1000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight camphor in liver and lung respectively, compared with control. Also compared with control, camphor administration resulted in a significant increase in the expressions of hepatic and pulmonary nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) or CCL5, and monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in a dose dependent manner. It is therefore advised that the use and consumption of camphor should be with caution as it could trigger liver and lung inflammation via activation of NF-kB and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators.