title: Antinociceptive and antispasmodic effects of the essential oil of Ocimum 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Paulo de
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pinho
authors.forename: Andressa Santa
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Bruno Gonçalves
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sombra
authors.forename: Joaquim de Carvalho
authors.initials: Jde C
authors.lastname: Bayma
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lahlou
authors.forename: Pergentino José da Cunha
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Pedro Jorge
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Magalhães
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D059226:Nociceptive Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D031339:Ocimum / Q000737:chemistry*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D051381:Rats; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010938:Plant Oils; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C024714:caryophyllene