Citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, reduces nociceptive and inflammatory activities in rodents

Abstract

We describe the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of citronellol (CT) in rodents. CT, a monoterpene alcohol, is a naturally occurring monoterpene compound prevalent in essential oils of various aromatic plant species, such as Cymbopogon citratus. In mice, when evaluated against acetic-acid-induced abdominal writhing, CT (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced (P < 0.001) the amount of writhing compared to the control group. In the formalin test, CT also significantly inhibited both the early (neurogenic pain) and the late (inflammatory pain) phases of formalin-induced licking (P < 0.001). When assessed in a thermal model of pain, CT (100 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the latency response on the hot-plate test. Such results were unlikely to be caused by motor abnormality. The anti-inflammatory activity of CT was investigated through carrageenan-induced pleurisy in mice. Pretreatment with CT was able to inhibit both neutrophil infiltration and the increase in TNF-α level in the exudates from carrageenan-induced pleurisy. In in vitro experiments, CT (1 and 100 μg/ml) also decreased nitric oxide production by LPS-stimulated macrophage. Together, these results indicate that CT is effective as an analgesic compound in various pain models, with its action probably mediated by the inhibition of peripheral mediators as well as central inhibitory mechanisms that could be related to its strong antioxidant effect observed in vitro.

Citronellol, a natural acyclic monoterpene, attenuates mechanical hyperalgesia response in mice: Evidence of the spinal cord lamina I inhibition

“…In this protocol, mice pretreated with CT, all doses, showed an increase in the mechanical threshold, similar with mice who received indomethacin, a COX inhibitor. This effect is probably the result of the CT anti-inflammatory activity, which has been reported in the literature [17,26,27].…”

“…Citronellol (CT) is a monoterpene compound prevalent in essential oils of various aromatic plant species, such as Cymbopogon citrates and Cymbopogon winterianus [12,13], and its hypotensive, vasorelaxant, anticonvulsant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory profiles are described in the literature [14][15][16][17]. However, there are few data that have evaluated the effects of CT on inflammatory pain.…”

Natural Products as Promising Pharmacological Tools for the Management of Fibromyalgia Symptoms – A Review

“…This research has been based on the popular and potentially dangerous belief given the chemical diversity of NPs that "what is natural, cannot do you harm." The innovative pharmacological effects that these products are able to produce are promising but due to possible side effects remain challenging at the same time [50][51][52]. One way to evaluate possible pharmacological effects and examine their use in folk medicine is to study plant extracts obtained through the use of several solvents [53][54][55].…”

“…Most monoterpenes are colorless, volatile, and lipophilic, which promote greater penetration through the membrane [49]. Among the activities already described, the antinociceptive properties of these compounds have received a lot of attention [50][51][52].…”

Aromaterapia: da gênese a atualidade

“…Atividades farmacológicas tais como a antinociceptiva, anticonvulsivantes e hipotensivas vêm sendo descritas na literatura para diversos óleos essenciais, a exemplo do estudo desenvolvido com óleo essencial de Cymbopogom winterianus e seus constituintes (BRITO et al 2012;BASTOS et al 2012;QUINTANS-JÚNIOR et al 2008).…”