Antinociceptive properties of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Labiatae) in mice

Abstract

We have investigated the antinociceptive effects of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Labiatae) (EOOG) in two classical models of pain in male Swiss mice (25-35 g), the writhing test and the formalin test. At doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg (po), EOOG produced a dosedependent inhibition (from 58.3 ± 4.4 to 40.7 ± 6.3, 36.4 ± 3.6 and 24.6 ± 3.6, respectively; N = 8-10, P<0.05) of acetic acid-induced writhing, causing up to a ~60% inhibition at the highest dose used, comparable to that obtained with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, po). At the same doses, EOOG predominantly inhibited the late (inflammatory) phase of the formalin-induced pain response (from 59.3 ± 8.3 to 40.4 ± 4.8, 23.2 ± 2.8 and 25.3 ± 5.5, respectively; N = 6, P<0.05), with a maximal reduction of ~60% of the control, although a significant reduction of the initial (neurogenic) phase was also observed at 300 mg/kg (from 62.5 ± 6.07 to 37 ± 5.9; P<0.05). On the basis of these data, we conclude that EOOG possesses interesting antinociceptive properties in the writhing and formalin tests. Due to the relatively low toxicity of EOOG, further detailed examination is strongly indicated for a better characterization of its pharmacological properties and its potential therapeutic value.

<i>Ocimum Gratissimum</i> Linn Causes Dose Dependent Hepatotoxicity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

“…In the coastal areas of Nigeria, the plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy, high fever and diarrhea [12]. In the Savannah areas decoctions of the leaves are used to treat mental illness while O. gratissimum is used by the Ibos of Southeastern Nigeria in the management of the baby's cord, to keep the wound surfaces sterile, it is also used in the treatment of fungal infections, fever, cold and catarrh [13].…”

Potential Anti-inflammatory Properties of Crude Alcoholic Extract of Ocimum basilicum L. in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

“…6) Recent studies demonstrated that the contents of essential oils showed anti-nociceptive effects in mice and antibacterial effects against multidrug resistant clinical isolates. 7,8) Earlier studies have reported that the fixed oil from Ocimum basilicum showed anti-ulcer properties in rat models. 9) So far there has been no in vitro study on the immunomodulatory activity of this plant.…”

Toxicity Studies of the Crude Aqueous Leaves Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum in Albino Rats

“…Furthermore, OG had been shown to possess diverse pharmacological properties which may be attributed to its usefulness in folk medicine. These properties include antioxidant [12,13,14] chemotherapeutic [15]; antimutagenic [16]; antidiarrhoeal [9,17,18] antinociceptive [19] insecticidal [20] hypotensive [21] and antihelmintic [22,23]. The present study investigated the acute and sub-chronic toxicity effects of the crude aqueous leaves extract of Ocimum gratissimum in rats.…”