Preparation, Characterization, and Pharmacological Activity of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor (Poaceae)‎ Leaf Essential Oil of β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes

Abstract EN

This study aimed to evaluate the orofacial antinociceptive effect of the Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil (LEO) complexed in β-cyclodextrin (LEO-CD) and to assess the possible involvement of the central nervous system (CNS).

The LEO was extracted, chromatographed, and complexed in β-cyclodextrin.

The complex was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry derivative (TG/DTG).

Male Swiss mice (2-3 months) were treated with LEO-CD (50–200 mg/kg, p.o.), vehicle (distilled water, p.o.), or standard drug (i.p.) and subjected to the orofacial nociception formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced.

After the formalin test, the animals were perfused and the brains subjected to immunofluorescence for Fos.

The rota-rod test (7 rpm/min) was carried out.

Geraniol (37.57%) was the main compound of LEO.

DSC and TG/DTG proved the complexation.

The orofacial nociceptive behavior was significantly (p<0.05) reduced.

The number of Fos-positive cells was significantly changed in the dorsal raphe nucleus (p<0.01), locus coeruleus (p<0.001), trigeminal nucleus (p<0.05), and trigeminal thalamic tract (p<0.05).

LEO-CD did not cause changes in motor coordination in the rota-rod test.

Thus, our results suggested that LEO-CD has an orofacial antinociceptive profile, probably mediated by the activation of the CNS without changing the motor coordination.