Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties of Origanum vulgare essential oil, rich with β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide

Abstract

Background Essential oils are of great interest for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to study the content of the essential oil of the Origanum vulgare of the Armenian highlands (OVA) in different periods of vegetation and to investigate its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice ( in vivo ) and cytotoxic action in cultured cells ( in vitro ). OVA essential oil was extracted from fresh plant material by hydro-distillation. Methods For OVA essential oil contents determination the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used. Formalin and hot plate tests and analysis of cell viability using the methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay were used. Results The maximal content of β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide in OVA essential oil was revealed in the period of blossoming (8.18% and 13.36%, correspondently). In the formalin test, 4% OVA essential oil solution (3.5 mg/mouse) exerts significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects ( P = 0.003). MTT assay shows approximately 60% cytotoxicity in HeLa and Vero cells for 2.0 μL/mL OVA essential oil in media. Conclusions The wild oregano herb of Armenian highlands, harvested in the blossoming period, may be considered as a valuable source for developing pain-relieving preparations.

Creation of New Oregano Genotypes with Different Terpene Chemotypes via Inter- and Intraspecific Hybridization

“…β-Caryophyllene, the main sesquiterpene in a variety of plant essential oils, is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and foods. It exhibits several important pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and local anesthetic effects [ 17 ]. In this study, the chemotypes of European oregano accessions were mainly identified as thymol- and carvacrol-type, and these chemotypes are of important medicinal value.…”

“…Carvacrol and thymol exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, antiseptic, insect repellent, anticancer and antispasmodic properties, and can be used as antibiotics and insecticides [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. β-Caryophyllene can be used as a local anesthetic and for other important pharmacological activities [ 17 ]. Germacrene D is an important flavor compound that can be used as an antibiotic, insecticide, and insect attractant [ 18 ].…”

Based on UPLC/MS/MS and Bioinformatics Analysis to Explore the Difference Substances and Mechanism of Curcumae Radix (Curcuma wenyujin) in Dysmenorrhea

“…[47] Caryophyllene oxide can inhibit the central nervous system and has sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. [48][49] And the first 10 key compounds of CW in the treatment of dysmenorrhea have the effects of anti-inflammation (IL6, PTGS2, MMP9), relaxing smooth muscle (NOS3), regulating lipid metabolism (PPARG), regulating endocrine (PGR, ESR1, ESR2, CYP19A1) and anti-tumor (CASP3). After vinegar preparation, the αcurcumene, (+)-cuparene, 13-hydroxygermanone, and curcumenone in VCW increased, while zederone isocurcumenol and caryophyllene oxide decreased.…”

Possible Preventive Effect of <i>Ziziphora clinopodioides</i> Lam. Essential Oil on Some Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of the EOs was performed using a Hewlett-Packard 5890 Series II gas chromatograph as described previously [21,22].…”