Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Chemical composition and anti-arthritic activity of the essential oil from Litsea cubeba against Type II collagen rheumatoid arthritis in rat collagen

Jiancun Zhao¹ , Qianqian Wang², Jie Ma¹

¹Department of Orthopaedics; ²Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xintai PeopleÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Hospital, 1329 Xinfu Road, Xintai City, Shandong Province 271200, PR China.

For correspondence:- Jiancun Zhao Email: zhaojcxthp@163.com Tel:+18753867231

Accepted: 22 February 2020 Published: 31 March 2020

Citation: Zhao J, Wang Q, Ma J. Chemical composition and anti-arthritic activity of the essential oil from Litsea cubeba against Type II collagen rheumatoid arthritis in rat collagen. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(3):645-650 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i3.27

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To study the curative effect of the volatile oil from Litsea cubeba (EOL) on type II collagen (CII) induced arthritic (CIA) rat.

Methods: The chemical constituents of EOL were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analgesic effect of the oil was assessed by acetic acid-stimulated torsion and hot plate methods, while antiinflammatory potential was further assessed by in an ear oedema model induced by dimethylbenzene in mice. The anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity of EOL in mice was evaluated in terms of paw volume, arthritis index, thymus and spleen index, and serum inflammatory factor levels.

Results: GC-MS showed that α-citral (26.42 %), β-citral (21.94 %), and limonene (12.79 %) were the main components of EOL. Different doses of EOL (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) exerted varying inhibitory effects on torsion in mice induced by acetic acid (p < 0.01) but had no significant effect on thermal stimulation-induced pain. EOL reduced ear oedema in mice (p < 0.01). In addition, EOL (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) reduced the mouse paw volume, arthritis index, and thymus and spleen index (p < 0.01). Furthermore, EOL reduced proinflammatory cytokines in serum but increased antiinflammatory cytokines (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: EOL ameliorates symptoms of inflammation in CIA rats by inhibiting inflammatory reactions, suggesting it could be further developed as an anti-arthritic drug.

Keywords: Litsea cubeba, Essential oil, Rrheumatoid arthritis, Pro-inflammatory cytokines