Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil from tipaza (Algeria): in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in experimental animal models

Abstract

Introduction Although analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually used to treat a diversity of illnesses, their administration is linked with acute kidney injury and gastrointestinal side effects. The research of new biomolecules and natural products is still needed such as medicinal plants. Aims The present research was aimed to investigate, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of spearmint essential oil (SEO) in mouse models of acute inflammation and pain. Materials and Method Chemical analysis of SEO was done by gas chromatography. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using two models of acute inflammation namely carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema. Histological examination of both non-inflamed and inflamed tissues was evaluated. The anti-nociceptive activity was tested using the pain model induced by acetic acid. Results The main constituent of the SEO was found to be carvone (52.60%). The SEO exhibited a promising anti-inflammatory effect as demonstrated by statistically significant (p<0.05) inhibition of paw volume by 77.24% at the dose of 20 µL/kg and 65.87% at the dose of 200 µL/kg. Furthermore, topical administration of the SEO inhibited xylene-induced ear edema in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The higher dose (200 µL /kg) significantly (p<0.001) reduced xylene-induced ear edema which was similar to that observed with positive control (ketoprofen). The pathological analysis of the paws and ears revealed that SEO was capable of reducing cellular infiltration and subcutaneous edema. Else, the SEO produced significant anti-nociceptive activity (p<0.001) at higher dose by inhibiting spontaneous nociception. Conclusion These results support the use of SEO in the development of pharmaceuticals for the management of inflammation and pain.