Chemical Profiling and Multimodal Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Eugenia pyriformis Leaves Essential Oil

TL;DR

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory properties of essential oil from the leaves of the Brazilian plant Eugenia pyriformis, showing it can reduce inflammation through multiple mechanisms.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence for the anti-inflammatory activity of E. pyriformis essential oil through in vitro and in vivo models.

Findings

The essential oil contains sesquiterpene hydrocarbons like γ-muurolene and β-caryophyllene.

The oil reduced paw edema in animal models, suggesting anti-inflammatory effects.

It inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in macrophages.

Abstract

Eugenia pyriformis Cambess., popularly known as uvaia, is a native Brazilian species belonging to the Myrtaceae family that has attracted pharmacological interest due to its richness in bioactive secondary metabolites. Previous studies have reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil obtained from its leaves, reinforcing its therapeutic potential. In this context, the present study aimed to extract and characterize the essential oil from E. pyriformis leaves cultivated in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to evaluate its anti-inflammatory potential through in vitro and in vivo models. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed a predominance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, mainly γ-muurolene, δ-cadinene, and β-caryophyllene. The oil exhibited significant anti-edematogenic activity in carrageenan-, prostaglandin E2-, and bradykinin-induced paw edema models in adult female Swiss mice, suggesting modulation of inflammatory mediators, possibly through inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. Conversely, no effect was observed in the compound 48/80-induced model, indicating the absence of activity on histamine- and serotonin-mediated processes. In vitro assays demonstrated that the oil reduced TNF-α and IL-1β gene expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages, confirming its ability to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the essential oil of E. pyriformis exerts anti-inflammatory activity through multiple targets.

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