Antinociceptive Activity and Redox Profile of the Monoterpenes (+)-Camphene, p-Cymene, and Geranyl Acetate in Experimental Models

• Published in: ISRN toxicology 2013-01, Vol.2013, p.1-11
• Main Authors: Quintans-Júnior, Lucindo, Moreira, José C. F., Pasquali, Matheus A. B., Rabie, Soheyla M. S., Pires, André S., Schröder, Rafael, Rabelo, Thallita K., Santos, João P. A., Lima, Pollyana S. S., Cavalcanti, Sócrates C. H., Araújo, Adriano A. S., Quintans, Jullyana S. S., Gelain, Daniel P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2090-6196; 2090-6188; 2090-6196
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/459530

Objective. To evaluate antinocicpetive and redox properties of the monoterpenes (+)-camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate in in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Methods. Evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity of (+)-camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate using different free radical-generating systems and evaluation of antinociceptive actions by acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception tests in mice. Results. p-Cymene has the strongest antinociceptive effect, but (+)-camphene and geranyl acetate also present significant activity at high doses (200 mg/kg). (+)-Camphene had the strongest antioxidant effect in vitro at TBARS and TRAP/TAR assays and also had the highest scavenging activities against different free radicals, such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. Sodium nitroprussiate-derived NO production was enhanced by (+)-camphene. Geranyl acetate and p-cymene also presented some antioxidant effects, but with a varying profile according the free radical-generating system studied. Conclusion. (+)-Camphene, p-cymene, and geranyl acetate may present pharmacological properties related to inflammation and pain-related processes, being potentially useful for development of new therapeutic strategies, with limited possibilities for p-cymene and geranyl acetate.