Abstract
Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. (ZP) is a traditional medicinal plant used mainly in countries from Asia such as Japan. This study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive effect of ZP essential oil (ZPEO). The major component present in the essential oil was beta-phellandrene (29.39%). Its antinociceptive activity was tested through animal models (formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced paw licking and hot plate). The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated through the carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration into the subcutaneous air pouch (SAP), with measurement of cytokines. The results showed antinociceptive effect for ZPEO for the first phase of the formalin-induced licking, glutamate, and hot plate tests. However, ZPEO had no effect on reducing paw licking induced by capsaicin. Finally, ZPEO had no effect against inflammation induced by carrageenan.
Highlights
Essential oils are naturally occurring complex molecules composed mainly of monoterpenes
As part of our continuous interest in search for pharmacological effect of natural products and because ZP is widely used to treat several disorders, in this work we focused our efforts on the evaluation of the possible antinociceptive effect of essential oil obtained from Zanthoxylum piperitum
The yield was 0.015% (w/w, dried weight basis) for the oil isolated from Z. piperitum (ZPEO)
Summary
Essential oils are naturally occurring complex molecules composed mainly of monoterpenes. They have been used in several industries around the world, especially for cosmetics including beauty creams and perfumes due to their pleasant scents. Essential oils have been used to treat several diseases and some of them have been tested for medicinal purposes, such as treating pain and inflammation [1]. Known in Japan as Asakura sansho, Zanthoxylum piperitum (ZP) first attracted the attention of researchers due to its aroma [2, 3]. The research became more focused on its antioxidative effect resulting in very positive outcomes contributing to the cosmetic industry. In 2001, Hashimoto et al [4] reported the ability of an aliphatic acid from ZP in inducing relaxation in the circular muscle of the gastric body
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