Antinociceptive and Antispasmodic Effects of the Essential Oil ofOcimum micranthum: Potential Anti-inflammatory Properties

Abstract

The antinociceptive and antispasmodic properties of the essential oil of OCIMUM micranthum (EOOM) were characterized. In mice, EOOM (15-100 mg · kg (-1), p. o.) reduced both the writhing responses induced by acetic acid and the licking-time induced by formalin, being inert on the hot plate test. In rat trachea, EOOM relaxed sustained contractions induced by KCl or carbachol (CCh). Its constituents, ( E)- [( E)-MC] and ( Z)-methyl cinnamate [( Z)-MC], reproduced several effects of EOOM. Inhaled as aerosol, EOOM prevented tracheal hyperresponsiveness to KCl or CCh in ovalbumin-sensitized animals after antigen challenge. Thus, EOOM exerts peripheral analgesia in nociception of inflammatory origin and has antispasmodic actions on rat airways under an inflammatory environment. Its effects are mainly due to ( E)-MC, which makes this substance potentially interesting for studies involving conjunctly smooth muscle cells, nociception, and inflammation. Other EOOM constituents also appear to be involved in its pharmacological actions.

Plant Essential Oil: An Alternative to Emerging Multidrug Resistant Pathogenso

“…Cystic Fibrosis patients are often infected by S. aureus, H. influenzae and P. aeruginosa [25]. In another study, the anti-inflammatory property of Ocimum micranthum EO (OMEO) was assessed [26]. In rat trachea, OMEO relaxed contraction induced by carbachol.…”

Vasorelaxation induced by methyl cinnamate, the major constituent of the essential oil of Ocimum micranthum, in rat isolated aorta

“…Such a mode of action of E‐MC in vascular tissue differs from the one that was reported previously in isolated tracheal smooth muscles. In fact, in the latter preparations, both EOOM and its main constituent E‐MC more potently inhibited cholinergic‐induced contractions than KCl‐induced contractions . This suggests that E‐MC acts against contractile responses that preferentially recruit pharmacomechanical coupling in rat airway tissues, a finding that is clearly different from other essential oils and volatile compounds that preferentially act on electromechanically induced contractions …”

“…Pharmacological reports on MC are scarce, but recent studies from our group have found interesting pharmacological effects of the E ‐ and Z ‐isomers of MC on smooth muscle tissues in rats . In isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations, both the essential oil of O. micranthum (EOOM) and its main constituent E‐MC (Fig.…”

“…In isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations, both the essential oil of O. micranthum (EOOM) and its main constituent E‐MC (Fig. ) inhibited cholinergic‐induced contractions more potently than contractions elicited by KCl, with IC 50 values for the relaxant effects against carbachol‐induced contractions being significantly lower than those against KCl‐induced contractions . This suggests that, in rat airway tissues, E‐MC acts against contractile responses that preferentially recruit receptor‐operated Ca 2+ channels (ROCCs), a finding that clearly differs from other volatile compounds that preferentially act on electromechanically induced contractions .…”

Motivações socioeconômicas para a conservação e exploração sustentável do bioma Caatinga

“…Segundo Kim et al (1995), alguns tem a capacidade de inibir bactérias de origem alimentar e prolongar a vida de prateleira de alimentos processados. Além disso, estudos apontam que essas substâncias possuem efeito antifúngico (Machado et al, 2013), anti--inflamatórios, antinociceptivo e antiespasmódico (Daniel et al, 2009;Adorjan & Buchbauer, 2010;Pinho et al, 2012), atividades antitumoral (Wang et al, 2012;Quassinti et al, 2013) e inseticida (Lima et al, 2014). Portanto, é necessária a implantação de políticas públicas de conscientização, voltadas para o melhor manejo do extrativismo sustentável desse bioma, com vistas à preservação.…”