Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of myrtenol, a plant-derived monoterpene alcohol, in mice

Inflammation is characterized by vasodilatation, increase of blood flow and vascular permeability, migration of leucocytes to the inflammatory site, and production of cytokines. The aim of this study was evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of (−)- myrtenol, a plant-derived monoterpenealcohol, in mice and its possible mechanisms. Myrtenolwas used in classical models of inflammation (paw oedema induced by different agents, carrageenan-induced peritonitis, myeloperoxidaselevels and cytokine measurement) and nociception(acetic acid-induced writhing, hot-plate test, and paw lickinginduced by formalin, glutamate, and capsaicin). Pretreatment with myrtenoleffectively inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan, compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin and prostaglandin E2. Myrtenolalso reduced the cell counts, myeloperoxidaseactivity and cytokine levels (interleukin 1β, but not tumour necrosis factor-α) of the peritoneal cavityinduced by carrageenan. In addition, myrtenolinhibited acetic acid-induced writhing, did not significantly prolong the latency time in the hot-plate test, decreased lickingtime caused by an intraplantar injection of formalin (only in the second phase), glutamate and capsaicin. Myrtenolreduces the inflammatory response and nociceptionin mice due to the inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators, cell migration and also to the signalling pathway of receptors involved in the transmission of pain. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.