Chemical characterization of the essential oil from the leaves of Eugenia flavescens DC. (Myrtaceae) and its potential in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and ethanol- and ethanol/HCL-induced gastric ulcers in mice

• Published in: Inflammopharmacology Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 3399 - 3410
• Main Authors: da Silva Aguiar, Irivânia Fidelis, de Veras, Bruno Oliveira, de Oliveira Alves, João Victor, Galvão, Lais Ruanita Leopoldina, Costa, Wêndeo Kennedy, de Medeiros Moura, Geovanna Maria, do Amaral Ferraz Navarro, Daniela Maria, de Oliveira Farias de Aguiar, Júlio César Ribeiro, de Oliveira, Weslley Felix, dos Santos Correia, Maria Tereza, da Silva, Márcia Vanusa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Allergology; Analgesics - isolation & purification; Analgesics - pharmacology; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Ulcer Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Ulcer Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brazil; Dermatology; Ethanol; Eugenia - chemistry; Female; Gastroenterology; Immunology; Inflammation - drug therapy; Male; Mice; Oils, Volatile - pharmacology; Original Article; Pain - chemically induced; Pain - drug therapy; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Rheumatology; Stomach Ulcer - chemically induced; Stomach Ulcer - drug therapy; Brazil; Medicine; Brazil; Caryophyllene; Essential oil; Grow crops; Food
• ISSN: 0925-4692; 1568-5608; 1568-5608
• DOI: 10.1007/s10787-024-01546-4

Eugenia flavescens is a species cultivated in Brazil for food purposes. Given the potential application of essential oils from plants of the genus Eugenia , this study was carried out to investigate the chemical composition, acute toxicity, antioxidant, antinociceptive, gastroprotective activities, and possible mechanisms of action of the essential oil from the leaves of E. flavescens (EOEf). The EOEf was extracted by hydrodistillation, and the chemical composition was obtained using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated, as well as the acute toxicity and the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice. In addition, the gastroprotective effect was investigated using an acute gastric lesion model, considering possible mechanisms of action. The major components found in the EOEf were guaiol (19.97%), germacrene B (12.53%), bicyclogermacrene (11.11%), and E -caryophyllene (7.53%). The EOEf did not cause signs of toxicity in the acute oral toxicity test and showed in vitro antioxidant activity with IC 50 ranging from 247.29 to 472.39 µg/mL in the tests ABTS and DPPH. In the nociceptive test, EOEf showed a 72.05% reduction in nociception at a dose of 100 mg/kg. In evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect, the essential oil inhibited paw edema by 95.50% and 97.69% at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. The results showed that EOEf has a gastroprotective effect, acting through the sulfhydryl compounds (–SH), nitric oxide (NO), and synthesis PGE 2 pathways. The results suggested that EOEf is a promising source of constituents with antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and gastroprotective properties with application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.