CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF Myrtus communis L. ESSENTIAL OIL

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition and the anti-inflammatory activity of the common myrtle essential oil (Myrtus communis L.). The essential oil composition of Myrtus communis L. extracted by steam distillation, was characterized by a high oxygenated monoterpene fraction (80.9%). The major components were myrtenyl acetate (38.7%), 1.8-cineole (12.7%), α-pinene (13.7%) and linalool (7.00%). For the anti-inflammatory essay, five different groups were established and the essential oil was administered orally in three different doses. The common myrtle essential oil (100 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce the paw edema with a comparable effect to that observed with Diclofenac (positive control). This is the first report to demonstrate a significant anti-inflammatory activity of Algerian common myrtle essential oil