Additional evidence for the anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil of Protium heptaphyllum resin in mice and rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and evaluates further the anti-inflammatory properties of essential oil of Protium heptaphyllum resin (EOP). The essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Fourteen constituents, accounting for 100% of the total oil, were identified. The main constituents of essential oil were limonene (49.96%), trans-β-ocimene (11.81%), eucalyptol (10.92%) and p-cymene (10.78%). EOP administered orally (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) significantly suppressed the development of carrageenan and egg albumin-paw edema and produced a significant inhibition of peritoneal vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. OEP also reduced peritoneal leukocytes migration, granuloma tissue formation and mast cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80 (ex-vivo). These results appear to support the potential medicine use of EOP against inflammatory conditions.