Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from two Asteraceae species

Pharmazie. 2003 Aug;58(8):582-6.

Abstract

The essential oils from two Asteraceae species, Porophyllum ruderale (PR) and Conyza bonariensis (CB) were screened for anti-inflammatory activity in the mouse model of pleurisy induced by zymosan (500 microg/cavity) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (250 ng/cavity). The main monoterpene constituents of each oil, beta-myrcene (in PR) and limonene (in CB), were tested in the LPS-induced pleurisy model and assayed also for immunoregulatory activity by measurement of the inhibition of NO and production of the cytokines, gamma-interferon and IL-4. The oils, when administered orally, were able to inhibit the LPS-induced inflammation including cell migration; with a similar effect being observed for pure limonene. Pure beta-myrcene and limonene were also effective in inhibiting production of nitric oxide at doses below the cytotoxicity of these monoterpenes. A significant inhibition of gamma-interferon and IL-4 production by limonene and beta-myrcene was also observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Asteraceae / chemistry*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Conyza / chemistry*
  • Cyclohexenes
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Limonene
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Oils, Volatile / isolation & purification
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Pleurisy / chemically induced
  • Pleurisy / prevention & control
  • Terpenes / chemistry
  • Terpenes / pharmacology
  • Zymosan

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cyclohexenes
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Terpenes
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Zymosan
  • Limonene