Chemical composition, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the curzerene type essential oil of Eugenia uniflora from Brazil

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The Eugenia uniflora leaf infusion is widely used in folk medicine to treat gastroenteritis, fever, hypertension, inflammatory and diuretic diseases. Aim of the study: This work evaluated the acute oral toxic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities of the curzerene chemotype of Eugenia uniflora essential oil (EuEO). Material and methods: EuEO was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antinociceptive action in mice was evaluated for the peripheral and central analgesic activity using abdominal contortion and hot plate tests (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg); xylene-induced ear swelling was carried out for the nociception test, and carrageenan-induced cell migration test. Spontaneous locomotor activity was assessed in the open field test to rule out any nonspecific sedative or muscle relaxant effects of EuEO. Results: The EuEO displayed a yield of 2.6 & PLUSMN; 0.7%. The major compounds classes were oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (57.3 & PLUSMN; 0.2%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (16.4 & PLUSMN; 2.6). The chemical constituents with the highest concentrations were curzerene (33.4 & PLUSMN; 8.5%), caryophyllene oxide (7.6 & PLUSMN; 2.8%), & beta;-elemene (6.5 & PLUSMN; 1.8%), and E-caryophyllene (4.1 & PLUSMN; 0.3%). Oral treatment with EuEO, at doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg, did not change the behavior patterns or mortality of the animals. EuEO (300 mg/kg) did not cause a reduction in the number of crossings in the open field compared to the vehicle group. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was higher in EuEO-treated groups (50 and 2000 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). EuEO, at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, reduced the number of abdominal writhings by 61.66%, 38.33%, and 33.33%. EuEO did not show increased hot plate test time latency in any of the intervals analyzed. At 200 mg/kg, EuEO decreased paw licking time, with inhibition of 63.43%. In formalin-induced acute pain, EuEO decreased paw licking time at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg in the first phase, with inhibition of 30.54%, 55.02%, and 80.87%. The groups treated with EuEO at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg showed ear edema reduction of 50.26%, 55.17%, and 51.31%, respectively. Moreover, EuEO inhibited leukocyte recruitment only at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The inhibitory values of leukocyte recruitment after 4 h of carrageenan application were 4.86%, 4.93%, and 47.25% for 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of essential oil, respectively.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the acute oral toxic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities of Eugenia uniflora essential oil. The essential oil showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects without causing toxicity in animals.