Open AccessThe inhibition of paw oedema formation caused by the oil of Copaifera multijuga Hayne and its fractions
Author(s) -
Veiga Valdir F.,
Zunino Luciano,
Patitucci Maria Lúcia,
Pinto Angelo C.,
Calixto João B.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 2042-7158
pISSN - 0022-3573
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2006.tb01659.x
Subject(s) - chemistry , carrageenan , traditional medicine , terpene , chromatography , horticulture , botany , food science , stereochemistry , biology , medicine
Two oils exuded from a Copaifera multijuga Hayne tree (Leguminosae‐Caesalpinoideae), collected from the same plant, but in different periods of the year, and the hexanic, dichloromethanic and methanolic fractions of one of these oils were analysed by high‐resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and HRGC coupled with mass spectrometry (HRGC‐MS). In addition, the in‐vivo preliminary anti‐oedematogenic actions of the oil and some fractions of it were assessed against carrageenan‐ and bradykinin‐induced oedema formation in the rat paw. Twenty‐seven sesquiterpenes and six diterpenes were identified, β‐caryophyllene, α‐copaene and copalic acid being the main components. The dichloromethanic and methanolic fractions obtained from C. multijuga oil given by the intraperitoneal route caused a significant inhibition of paw oedema caused by carrageenan with inhibition of 49 ± 13% and 64 ± 9 %, respectively. Likewise, dexamethasone (the positive control drug) also greatly inhibited carrageenan‐induced paw oedema formation (60 ± 4% at 2 h). The hexanic fraction also significantly inhibited (50 ± 6%) the paw oedema formation caused by bradykinin. These results suggest the presence of still non‐identified active terpene compounds in the oil of C. multijuga that exhibit anti‐oedematogenic properties. Of note, the yield of these compounds and the pharmacological actions of the oil, exhibited great seasonal variations, a relevant aspect that should be carefully observed for the correct medicinal use of this plant by the population.