Abstract
Citrus fruits have potential health-promoting properties and their essential oils have long been used in several applications. Due to biological effects described to some citrus species in this study our objectives were to analyze and compare the phytochemical composition and evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of essential oils (EO) obtained from four different Citrus species. Mice were treated with EO obtained from C. limon, C. latifolia, C. aurantifolia or C. limonia (10 to 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and their anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in chemical induced inflammation (formalin-induced licking response) and carrageenan-induced inflammation in the subcutaneous air pouch model. A possible antinociceptive effect was evaluated in the hot plate model. Phytochemical analyses indicated the presence of geranial, limonene, γ-terpinene and others. EOs from C. limon, C. aurantifolia and C. limonia exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing cell migration, cytokine production and protein extravasation induced by carrageenan. These effects were also obtained with similar amounts of pure limonene. It was also observed that C. aurantifolia induced myelotoxicity in mice. Anti-inflammatory effect of C. limon and C. limonia is probably due to their large quantities of limonene, while the myelotoxicity observed with C. aurantifolia is most likely due to the high concentration of citral. Our results indicate that these EOs from C. limon, C. aurantifolia and C. limonia have a significant anti-inflammatory effect; however, care should be taken with C. aurantifolia.
Highlights
As rich sources of dietary fiber, vitamin C, phenols, and flavonoids, Citrus fruits are believed to have potential health-promoting properties [1]
To confirm the hypothesis that essential oil (EO) from C. limon, C. latifolia, C. aurantifolia and C. limonia have antinociceptive effects, we tested each one on the formalin-induced licking behavior
Our results suggest that Eos from C. limon, C. aurantifolia and C. limonia have an anti-inflammatory effect because they reduced the second doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153643.g005
Summary
As rich sources of dietary fiber, vitamin C, phenols, and flavonoids, Citrus fruits are believed to have potential health-promoting properties [1]. The peel (pericarp) essential oils of various species of Citrus are widely used as flavoring agents in food, beverages and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0153643. Citrus Essential Oil with Anti-Inflammatory Effect confections [3]. Recent studies point to the possibility of employing Citrus oils or their active principles to prevent or treat several pathological conditions, where they can be used as antimicrobial [4], antifungal [5], neuroprotective [6], anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative [7], antinociceptive [8], anti-inflammatory [9] and antioxidant [10] agents. The chemical composition of the peel essential oils of Citrus fruits is complex and rich in limonene and other monoterpene components, such as β-pinene and γ-terpinene, as well as some sesquiterpenes generally present in low amounts [11]. Other significant components include α and β-pinene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, sabinene
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