Alpha-phellandrene, a natural active monoterpene, influences a murine WEHI-3 leukemia model in vivo by enhancing macrophague phagocytosis and natural killer cell activity.

α-phellandrene (α-PA), a cyclic monoterpene, is a natural compound reported to promote immune responses in normal BALB/c mice. The effects of α-PA on immune responses in a leukemia mouse model were examined. Mice were injected with mouse leukemia WEHI-3 cells and subsequently treated orally with or without α-PA (0, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and olive oil as positive control for two weeks. Leukocytes and splenocytes were isolated and cell markers for CD3, CD19, CD11b and Mac-3, phagocytosis and natural killer cell cytoxicity effects were analyzed by flow cytometry. α-PA increased the percentage of CD3 (T-cell marker), CD19 (B-cell marker) and MAC3 (macrophages) markers but reduced the percentage of CD11b (monocytes) cell surface markers. α-PA (25 and 50 mg/kg) increased phagocytosis of macrophages from blood samples and treatment promoted natural killer cell activity at 25 mg/kg from splenocytes. α-PA at 25 mg/kg also increased B- and T-cell proliferation.