Cold pressed Pinus halepensis Mill. seed oil for potential health applications: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects, and assessment of inflammatory mediators by RT-qPCR in skin wound healing

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevancePinus halepensis Mill. seed (Pinaceae), commonly known as “Zgougou,” is widely consumed in the Mediterranean region and has long been used to treat diseases including bronchitis, rheumatism, infection, and inflammation. Aim of the studyThe present study was focused on the investigation of some pharmacological activities, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects, of cold-pressed oil of Pinus halepensis Mill. seed (COPHS). Materials and methodsThe fixed oil of Pinus halepensis seed was extracted by a cold pressing process. The analgesic activity of COPHS was examined by acetic acid and formalin-induced contortion and pain tests. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in carrageenan and formalin induced paw and ear edema models. Wound healing potential was assessed on an experimental skin wound, and the expression levels of inflammation mediators were determined by RT-qPCR in skin wound healing. ResultsThe results showed analgesic efficacy through significant inhibition of abdominal cramps (59.15%) and pain (75.91%). In addition, this oil exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting ear (62.25%) and paw (70.00%) edema. The COPHS stimulated wound contraction in experimental skin wound healing with a contraction rate of 89.23% with notable reduction of TNF-α and NF-kB expression levels in the treated groups. ConclusionsThis study provided for the first time the pharmacological profile, particularly the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and healing effects, of fixed oil extracted by cold pressing from the seed of Pinus halepensis Mill.