Abstract
Tagetes lucida Cav. (Asteraceae) is an ancient medicinal plant commonly used to alleviate pain. Nevertheless, scientific studies validating this property are lacking in the literature. Animal models of pain were used to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of T. lucida essential oil (TLEO) and a bioactive metabolite. The chemical constitution and possible toxicity of the extract and the mechanism of action of β-caryophyllene were also explored. Temporal course curves and dose–response graphics were generated using TLEO (0.1–10 mg/kg or 3.16–31.62 mg/kg) and β-caryophyllene (3.16–10 mg/kg). Metamizole (80 mg/kg) and indomethacin (20 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs in the formalin assay and writhing test in rats and mice, respectively. The β-caryophyllene mechanism of action was explored in the presence of naloxone (1 mg/kg), flumazenil (10 mg/kg), WAY100635 (0.16 mg/kg), or nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (20 mg/kg) in the formalin test in rats. GC/MS analysis demonstrated the presence of geranyl acetate (49.89%), geraniol (7.92%), and β-caryophyllene (6.27%). Significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive response was produced by TLEO and β-caryophyllene without the presence of gastric damage. In conclusion, β-caryophyllene was confirmed as a bioactive compound in the T. lucida analgesic properties by involving the participation of receptors like opioids, benzodiazepines, and Serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A), as well as nitric oxide.
Highlights
Essential oils are natural products of aromatic plants traditionally used all over the world for thousands of years
The analyses and identification following NMR spectroscopy of the Tagetes lucida essential oil revealed the presence of geranyl acetate ((E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol acetate)
The Tagetes genus belongs to the Tageteae tribe and, until now, 56 species distributed in America were reported; about 24 to 28 of them are in Mexico, but the knowledge in such species can be qualified as scanty and scattered [16]
Summary
Essential oils are natural products of aromatic plants traditionally used all over the world for thousands of years. Their effectiveness is recommended by healers and shamans throughout history in all cultures [1], for example: for treatment of infection, as an anti-inflammatory, and for relaxing or stimulating therapy [2]. The combination of all ingredients can produce the final activity of an essential oil. One extracted component may be an important element in the efficacy of the entire extract. Extracting one component will generally not work effectively without the other trace elements to provide balance. The quality of the essential oil depends on the constituents to produce efficacy in the treatment. The chemical composition is represented by mono and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and their oxygenated derivatives, along with aliphatic aldehydes, alcohols, and esters
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