The anti-inflammatory and
anti-allergic effects of the
essential oil of Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae) and some of its active compounds were evaluated. Systemic treatment with the
essential oil of Cordia verbenacea (300-600mg/kg, p.o.) reduced
carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema,
myeloperoxidase activity and the mouse oedema elicited by
carrageenan,
bradykinin,
substance P,
histamine and
platelet-activating factor. It also prevented
carrageenan-evoked exudation and the neutrophil influx to the rat pleura and the neutrophil migration into
carrageenan-stimulated mouse air pouches. Moreover, Cordia verbenacea oil inhibited the oedema caused by Apis mellifera
venom or
ovalbumin in sensitized rats and
ovalbumin-evoked allergic
pleurisy. The
essential oil significantly decreased
TNFalpha, without affecting IL-1beta production, in
carrageenan-injected rat paws. Neither the
PGE(2) formation after intrapleural injection of
carrageenan nor the COX-1 or COX-2 activities in vitro were affected by the
essential oil. Of high interest, the paw
edema induced by
carrageenan in mice was markedly inhibited by both sesquiterpenic compounds obtained from the
essential oil:
alpha-humulene and
trans-caryophyllene (50mg/kg, p.o.). Collectively, the present results showed marked anti-inflammatory effects for the
essential oil of Cordia verbenacea and some active compounds, probably by interfering with
TNFalpha production. Cordia verbenacea
essential oil or its constituents might represent new therapeutic options for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.