Essential oil of Eugenia stictopetala Mart. ex DC. has antioxidant, antibacterial, and gastrointestinal protective effect.

This work aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activity, and intestinal and gastric protective effects, in addition to the acute toxicity of the essential oil of E. stictopetala (EOEs). (E)-caryophyllene (18.01%), ß-pinene (8.84%), and (E)-nerolidol (8.24%), were the components found in higher content in the essential oil. The EOEs showed antioxidant capacity with IC50 values ranging from 220.28 to 283.67 µg/mL, in addition to presenting antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes. The essential oil showed a gastroprotective effect, with a reduction in the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, having multiple pharmacological mechanisms of action. An antidiarrheal effect of EOEs was observed in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model, with reduced intestinal motility. Our findings demonstrate that essential oil can be beneficial in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications for treating gastrointestinal diseases.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oil of the leaves of Amburana cearensis (Allemão) A.C. Smith. from the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Amburana cearensis (Allemão) A.C. Smith is a medicinal plant with wide distribution in South America, popularly known in Brazil as "cumaru" or "amburana de cheiro". In folk medicine, in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil, infusions, teas and decoctions of leaves of Amburana cearensis have their practical use for treating fever, gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, and inflammation pain. However, none of the ethnopharmacological properties has been scientifically evaluated using volatile compounds obtained from its leaves (essential oil). AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the chemical composition, acute oral toxicity, and antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from the leaves of A. cearensis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The acute toxicity of the essential oil was investigated in mice. The antinociceptive effect was evaluated using the formalin test and, abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid, being investigated the possible mechanisms of action involved in antinociception. The acute anti-inflammatory effect was investigated through models of carrageenan-induced peritonitis, yeast-induced pyrexia, and carrageenan- and histamine-induced paw inflammation. RESULTS: No acute toxicity was observed at doses up to 2000 mg/kg; p.o. The antinociceptive effect was statistically equal to morphine. In the formalin assay, the oil showed analgesic activity in the neurogenic and inflammatory phases, having as mechanisms the cholinergic, adenosinergic system, and ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K-ATP). In peritonitis, a reduction in TNF-α and IL-1ß levels and leukocyte migration were observed. The antipyretic effect was statistically superior to dipyrone. The reduction in paw edema was statistically superior to the standard in both models. CONCLUSION: The results obtained not only support the traditional use of the species in inflammatory conditions and pain in folk medicine but also demonstrate that this is a rich source of phytocomponents such as germacrone, which can be used as a natural and sustainable therapeutic agent with industrial applications.