Antiedematogenic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Monoterpene Isopulegol and Its β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) Inclusion Complex in Animal Inflammation Models

The annonalide diterpene extracted from Casimirella ampla (Miers) reduces inflammatory and antinociceptive events in general models of inflammation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The plants of the genus Casimirella ampla (Miers) (C. ampla) are extensively used in folk medicine. For a long time, rural communities have been using extracts from its roots for food and therapeutic purposes. The extract is rich in diterpenoid annonalide (Annona), which has antiophidic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties. Inflammation is the body's primary defense mechanism against cell damage and invasion by pathogens, which can trigger acute and chronic inflammatory processes. The first line of treatment for this condition consists of the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but these have numerous associated collateral damages, based on scientific knowledge about diterpenoids from C. ampla, as well as their already reported antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

Evaluate the effect of Annona in classic models of inflammation and pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals were pretreated with Annona (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/kg), or Tween 80 (2%), or indomethacin (Indo) (10 mg/kg) orally in the paw edema tests induced by carrageenan (Cg), serotonin (5-HT), histamine, bradykinin, 48/80 and, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), evaluating microscopic lesion scores, migration of leukocytes to the peritoneal cavity, concentration of myeloperoxide (MPO), malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), abdominal contortion test by acetic acid and formalin test.

RESULTS

Treatment with Annona compound at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg was more effective in reducing inflammatory, oxidant and nociceptive parameters, as it reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan, through different mediators and migration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, it worked by reducing the concentration of MPO, MDA, preserving GSH levels and reducing nociception caused by formalin and acetic acid.

Zingiber officinale Root Capsule Extract Synergistically Enhance the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Diclofenac Sodium in Experimental Acute Inflammation

The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) root capsule extract (GRCE) in doses of 100 mg/kg b.w. (body weight) and 200 mg/kg b.w. alone and in combination with a low dose (5 mg/kg b.w.) of diclofenac sodium (D) on carrageenan-induced acute inflammation (AI). The association of GRCE in a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. with D offered the highest inhibition percentage for edema, reaching the maximum level of inhibition (95%) after 24 h. The association of GRCE in a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. with D showed the ability to reduce tissue inflammatory changes when compared to D alone, while GRCE alone did not exhibit such properties. The association of both doses of GRCE with D showed significantly lower plasma and tissue levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by up to 55% (p ≤ 0.0317), with the best results obtained by the group who received GRCE in the higher dose. These associations reduced the serum and tissue levels of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2) by up to 71% (p ≤ 0.0371). In conclusion, the association of GRCE with a low dose of D could be an appropriate combination to decrease the dose used to reduce serum and tissue levels of inflammatory molecules, edema, and histological changes in acute inflammation. Further research will be necessary to achieve clinical evaluation.

Possible Use of Phytochemicals for Recovery from COVID-19-Induced Anosmia and Ageusia

The year 2020 became the year of the outbreak of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which escalated into a worldwide pandemic and continued into 2021. One of the unique symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 disease, COVID-19, is the loss of chemical senses, i.e., smell and taste. Smell training is one of the methods used in facilitating recovery of the olfactory sense, and it uses essential oils of lemon, rose, clove, and eucalyptus. These essential oils were not selected based on their chemical constituents. Although scientific studies have shown that they improve recovery, there may be better combinations for facilitating recovery. Many phytochemicals have bioactive properties with anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects. In this review, we describe the chemical compounds with anti- inflammatory and anti-viral effects, and we list the plants that contain these chemical compounds. We expand the review from terpenes to the less volatile flavonoids in order to propose a combination of essential oils and diets that can be used to develop a new taste training method, as there has been no taste training so far. Finally, we discuss the possible use of these in clinical settings.

Activity of Selected Group of Monoterpenes in Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms in Experimental Model Studies-A Non-Systematic Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and cognitive function impairment. The multi-faced character of AD requires new drug solutions based on substances that incorporate a wide range of activities. Antioxidants, AChE/BChE inhibitors, BACE1, or anti-amyloid platelet aggregation substances are most desirable because they improve cognition with minimal side effects. Plant secondary metabolites, used in traditional medicine and pharmacy, are promising. Among these are the monoterpenes-low-molecular compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, analgesic, sedative, as well as other biological properties. The presented review focuses on the pathophysiology of AD and a selected group of anti-neurodegenerative monoterpenes and monoterpenoids for which possible mechanisms of action have been explained. The main body of the article focuses on monoterpenes that have shown improved memory and learning, anxiolytic and sleep-regulating effects as determined by in vitro and in silico tests-followed by validation in in vivo models.

Thermal Degradation of Linalool-Chemotype Cinnamomum osmophloeum Leaf Essential Oil and Its Stabilization by Microencapsulation with β-Cyclodextrin

The thermal degradation of linalool-chemotype Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaf essential oil and the stability effect of microencapsulation of leaf essential oil with β-cyclodextrin were studied. After thermal degradation of linalool-chemotype leaf essential oil, degraded compounds including β-myrcene, cis-ocimene and trans-ocimene, were formed through the dehydroxylation of linalool; and ene cyclization also occurs to linalool and its dehydroxylated products to form the compounds such as limonene, terpinolene and α-terpinene. The optimal microencapsulation conditions of leaf essential oil microcapsules were at a leaf essential oil to the β-cyclodextrin ratio of 15:85 and with a solvent ratio (ethanol to water) of 1:5. The maximum yield of leaf essential oil microencapsulated with β-cyclodextrin was 96.5%. According to results from the accelerated dry-heat aging test, β-cyclodextrin was fairly stable at 105 °C, and microencapsulation with β-cyclodextrin can efficiently slow down the emission of linalool-chemotype C. osmophloeum leaf essential oil.