ABSTRACT
This report aimed to investigate the chemical composition and possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil from fresh leaves of Myrcia pubiflora DC., Myrtaceae (EOMP), through different experimental tests. The essential oil of M. pubiflora (EOMP) was obtained by hydrodistillation, analyzed by GC-MS, and tested at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg (i.p.) in three different tests of nociception (acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin test, and hot plate test) and one test of inflammation (leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity) in order to evaluate the motor activity in mice treated with EOMP. The major component of EOMP was caryophyllene oxide (22.16 percent). This oil significantly reduced the number of writhes in an acetic acid test and the time spent licking the paw at the second phase of the formalin test. Furthermore, EOMP inhibited the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. However, administration of EOMP did not alter reaction time in the hot plate test, and did not affect the motor coordination test. These results indicate antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of EOMP probably mediated via inhibition of inflammatory mediator synthesis or other peripheral pathway.
ABSTRACT
Eugenia candolleana DC. (Myrtaceae), commonly known as "murta" or "murtinha", is a plant species without any chemical or pharmacological study described in the literature. It has been popularly used for the treatment of pain and fever. This report aimed to investigate the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil extracted from fresh leaves of Eugenia candolleana DC. (EOEc) in rodents. Following intraperitoneal injection, EOEc (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhes significantly in a writhing test and the number of paw licks during phase two of formalin test (p < 0.001). However, administration of EOEc did not alter the time of reaction in hot plate test. Furthermore, EOEc inhibited (p < 0.01) the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity. These results indicate antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of EOEc probably mediated via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis or other peripherally pathway.
Eugenia candolleana DC. (Myrtaceae), conhecida popularmente como "murta" ou "murtinha", é uma espécie vegetal sem estudos químicos e farmacológicos descritos na literatura, distribuída no Nordeste brasileiro, principalmente, na Zona da Mata. Na medicina popular do Estado de Sergipe é utilizada no tratamento de distúrbios febris e da dor. O presente estudo buscou avaliar as possíveis atividades antinociceptiva e antiinflamatória do óleo essencial extraído das folhas de E. candolleana DC (OEEc) em roedores. A administração intraperitoneal (i.p.) do OEEc (25, 50 e 100 mg/kg) reduziu significativamente o número de contorções no teste das contorções abdominais e a duração da lambida da pata na segunda fase do teste da formalina (p < 0,001). Entretanto, a administração do OEEc não alterou o tempo de reação no teste da placa quente. No experimento de peritonite induzido por carragenina, o OEEc reduziu de forma significativa (p < 0,01) a migração de leucócitos para a cavidade peritoneal. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o OEEc possui ação antinociceptiva, provavelmente mediado por mecanismos periféricos, e ação antiinflamatória.