Pharmacological evaluation of Copaifera multijuga oil in rats

Objective: This study analyzed the chemical composition of Copaifera multijuga Hayne oil and conducted preclinical trials to investigate anti-inflammatory effects and any action it may have on the central nervous system (CNS) of rats. Materials and methods: The chemical analysis was carried out using gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured by leucocytes mobilization, by chemotaxis assay in Boyden''s chamber, and by pleurisy model in rats. CNS effect was determined by plus maze and open-field assays. The statistical test applied was analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey''s test or ANOVA followed by Duncan''s test. Results: The oil was composed of sesquiterpenes with the predominance of beta beta-caryophyllene (36.0%), followed by alpha alpha-copaene (18.8%), beta beta-bisabolene (8.5%), and alpha alpha-trans-bergamotene (7.0%). Data demonstrated that at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses and at a concentration of 200 mu mu l/ml copaiba essential oil presented anti-inflammatory effects both in vivo and in vitro based on reduced leukocyte migration to the rats'' pleural cavity and to the chemotactic agent lipopolysaccharide solution, respectively. During the experiments investigating CNS effects, locomotive and exploratory activities were reduced and the animals'' anxiety increased at 100 and 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that copaiba oil has an interesting anti-inflammatory effect and important effect on the CNS.