Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Oleoresin from the Amazonian Tree Copaifera reticulata with an Unusual Chemical Composition in Rats

Abstract

Copaifera reticulata Ducke is a popularly known species known as copaíba that is widely spread throughout the Amazon region. The tree yields an oleoresin which is extensively used in local traditional medicine mainly as an anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive agent. The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of this oleoresin obtained from a national forest in the central Amazon which presented an unusual chemical composition. The chemical composition of volatile compounds of oleoresin was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The acute toxicity assay was performed with a single dose of 2000 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema and air pouch assays using four different C. reticulata oleoresin concentrations (10, 100, and 400 mg/kg). The exudate was evaluated for nitrite concentration through the colorimetric method and for TNF-α, IL-1β, and PGE2 by ELISA. C. reticulata oleoresin collected in the Amazonian summer contained six major sesquiterpene compounds (β-bisabolene, cis-eudesma-6,11-diene, trans-α-bergamotene, β-selinene, α-selinene, and β-elemene) and was nontoxic at a dose of 2000 mg/kg, showing low acute toxicity. Different from oleoresin obtained from other sites of the Brazilian Amazon, the major volatile compound found was β-Bisabolene with 25.15%. This β-Bisabolene-rich oleoresin reduced the formation of paw edema induced by carrageenan and reduced the global number of cells in the air pouch assay, as well as exudate volume and nitrite, TNF-α, IL-1β, and prostaglandin E2 levels (p < 0.05). C. reticulata oleoresin with a high β-Bisabolene concentration showed anti-inflammatory activity, reducing vascular permeability and consequently edema formation, and thus reducing cell migration and the production of inflammatory cytokine, confirming its traditional use by local Amazonian communities.

Phytochemical profile and biological activities of the essential oils in the aerial part and root of Saposhnikovia divaricata

“…Consistent with the effects observed in mice, the panaxynol extracted from S. Divaricata roots can markedly ameliorate acute liver injury caused by LPS and D-galactosamine, which implies it has anti-inflammatory activity in vivo 29 . The anti-inflammatory properties of other main components in VOA and VOR, such as spathulenol, neophytadiene, phytone and β-bisabolene, have also been demonstrated in the previous reports 31 – 34 . These reported compounds also partly explained the anti-inflammatory effect of VOA and VOR.…”

Biological Activity of Copaiba in Damage to the Alveolar Bone in a Model of Periodontitis Induced in Rats

“…The oleoresin of Copaifera reticulata has several compounds that guarantee its various biological activities, and these are mainly attributed to its main compounds [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 37 ]. In this study, when Copaifera reticulata Ducke was characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [ 10 ], it presented β-caryophyllene as a major component (37.3%), which is a ligand of the cannabinoid receptor 2 [ 37 ].…”

“…When binding to this receptor, it blocks the activation of NF-κB, decreasing the synthesis of interleukin 6 (IL-6) [ 37 , 38 ]. This compound also downregulates other proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 [ 14 , 37 , 39 , 40 ]. Additionally, some investigations have shown that β-caryophyllene can minimize the expression of nitric oxide (NO), which is a free radical associated with periodontitis, because it is related to an inflammatory process and can induce osteoclast activation [ 13 , 41 , 42 ].…”

“…Copaiba oleoresin exhibits a variety of biological actions, including anti-inflammatory [ 2 , 12 , 14 ], antibacterial [ 15 ], antifungal [ 16 ], and larvicidal [ 17 ] activities. Copaiba application in dentistry is a relatively new area of study that is constantly expanding, and most studies have investigated the effects of copaiba on oral pathogens in vitro [ 11 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract from Jucá (Libidibia ferrea) Pods

“…Natural-substance-derived medicines are capable of treating approximately 80% of all the diseases that affect humanity. These medicines exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticoagulant, antiparasitic, and immunosuppressant activities, among others [8][9][10].…”