Additional evidence for the anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil of Protium heptaphyllum resin in mice and rats

The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and evaluates further the anti-inflammatory properties of essential oil of Protium heptaphyllum resin (EOP). The essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Fourteen constituents, accounting for 100% of the total oil, were identified. The main constituents of essential oil were limonene (49.96%), trans-β-ocimene (11.81%), eucalyptol (10.92%) and p-cymene (10.78%). EOP administered orally (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) significantly suppressed the development of carrageenan and egg albumin-paw edema and produced a significant inhibition of peritoneal vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. OEP also reduced peritoneal leukocytes migration, granuloma tissue formation and mast cell degranulation induced by compound 48/80 (ex-vivo). These results appear to support the potential medicine use of EOP against inflammatory conditions.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire