Essential oil of Myrciaria tenella (DC.) O. Berg: effects of distillation time on its chemical composition and evaluation of its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to characterize the essential oil of Myrciaria tenella (MTEO) leaves, to determine the effects of distillation time (1 to 5 h), and to evaluate its action on acute pain and inflammation both in vivo and in vitro. MTEO was obtained by hydrodistillation for 4 h and 36 compounds were detected, mainly consisting of hydrocarbon terpenes such as β-pinene (21.46%), α-pinene (19.43%), E-caryophyllene (10.89%) and aromadendrene (9.17%). A high yield of α-pinene/β-pinene-rich MTEO was obtained after only 2 h of extraction. For in vivo biological assays, MTEO was administered to male Swiss mice, showing an action against hypernociception (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and Von Frey models) and inhibiting carrageenan-induced paw edema. Production of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE2 was reduced and production of IL-10 was increased, with no change in motor performance. MTEO also reduced cell production of NO and cytokines, in addition to inhibiting COX activity.