Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of p-cymene in mice

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2012 Jan-Feb;67(1-2):15-21. doi: 10.1515/znc-2012-1-203.

Abstract

We attempted to identify the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of the monoterpene p-cymene. Firstly, behavioural screening was carried out to verify the influence of p-cymene [25, 50, and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)] on the central nervous system (CNS) activity. The antinociceptive activity of p-cymene was evaluated by the acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin, and hot-plate test, respectively. The leukocyte migration induced by injection of carrageenan was used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. p-Cymene showed depressant activity on CNS after 4 h of treatment and also a possible action on the autonomous nervous system (ANS), mainly at the dose of 100 mg/kg (i.p.). It was found that p-cymene (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the writhing responses induced by acetic acid. p-Cymene also decreased the licking time in the first and second phase, respectively, of the formalin test. The results of the hot-plate test showed that all doses of p-cymene increased significantly the latency time of the response to the thermal stimulus in both licking and jumping parameters. In addition, there was a significantly (p < 0.05) decreased leukocyte migration at all doses of p-cymene. The experimental data demonstrate that p-cymene possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / drug effects
  • Cymenes
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cymenes
  • Monoterpenes
  • 4-cymene