2003 Dec;89(2-3):277-83.
"Further investigation is
warranted for possible development of new classes of analgesic and
anti-inflammatory drugs from components of the essential oils of the
Eucalyptus species. "
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus.
Abstract
Many
species of the genus Eucalyptus from the Myrtaceae family are used in
Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of various medical conditions
such as cold, flue, fever, and bronchial infections. In the current
investigation, we evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects
of essential oil extracts from three species of Eucalyptus employing
various standard experimental test models. Using acetic acid-induced
writhes in mice and hot plate thermal stimulation in rats, it was shown
that the essential oils of Eucalyptus citriodora (EC), Eucalyptus
tereticornis (ET), and Eucalyptus globulus (EG) induced analgesic
effects in both models, suggesting peripheral and central actions. In
addition, essential oil extracts from the three Eucalyptus species
produced anti-inflammatory effects, as demonstrated by inhibition of rat
paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran, neutrophil migration into
rat peritoneal cavities induced by carrageenan, and vascular
permeability induced by carrageenan and histamine. However, no
consistent results were observed for some of the parameters evaluated,
both in terms of activities and dose-response relationships, reflecting
the complex nature of the oil extracts and/or the assay systems used.
Taken together, the data suggest that essential oil extracts of EC, ET,
and EG possess central and peripheral analgesic effects as well as
neutrophil-dependent and independent anti-inflammatory activities. These
initial observations provide support for the reported use of the
eucalyptus plant in Brazilian folk medicine. Further investigation is
warranted for possible development of new classes of analgesic and
anti-inflammatory drugs from components of the essential oils of the
Eucalyptus species.
- PMID:
- 14611892
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Link to full article here.
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