# Chemical Profiling and Assessment of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ammoides verticillata Essential Oil: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies

## TL;DR

This study explores the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of Ammoides verticillata essential oil through chemical analysis and biological tests.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the pharmacological effects of AVEO, particularly its analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential.

## Key findings

- AVEO contains high levels of carvacrol and shows significant antioxidant activity.
- AVEO demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects comparable to diclofenac and strong COX-2 inhibition.
- Computational analysis confirmed high binding affinity of carvacrol and thymol to COX-2.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Essential oils are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential, yet Ammoides verticillata essential oil (AVEO) remains relatively unexplored, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This study aimed to profile AVEO’s chemical composition and evaluate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, with a focus on its novel pharmacological actions. Methods: The chemical composition of AVEO was determined using GC-MS analysis, and antioxidant capacity was assessed through in vitro assays. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory potential was investigated using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats, complemented by the inhibition assays of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. The analgesic effects were evaluated through acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion tests. Additionally, a computational study was performed to explore the binding affinity of AVEO’s major constituents to COX-2. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed a rich monoterpene profile dominated by carvacrol (32.51%). It was found that AVEO exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Similarly, in vivo, AVEO showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, achieving a percentage inhibition of 52.23% at 200 mg/kg, comparable to diclofenac, along with potent COX-2 inhibition observed (IC50 = 1.51 ± 0.20, SI = 5.56). Moreover, analgesic tests demonstrated dose-dependent pain relief, in which the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly prolonged tail latency to 14.00 ± 1.45 s and markedly reduced abdominal constriction to 21.17 ± 1.62. Computational analysis further corroborated the high binding affinity of carvacrol and thymol with COX-2 (−7.381 and −6.939 Kcal/mol, respectively). Conclusions: These findings underscore AVEO’s potential as a promising therapeutic agent for managing inflammation and pain.