Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract and essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus in mice

Inflammation is a mechanism involving a complex series of events including dilatation of arterioles, venules and capillaries with increased vascular permeability, exudation of fluids including plasma proteins and leukocyte migration into the inflammatory area. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of Eucalyptus globulus alcoholic extract and essential oil leaves were studied in NMRI mice. In this experimental study, 15 minutes after intra-peritoneal injection of the ethanolic extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), essential oil (0.1, 0.4, 0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone (10 mg/kg, i.p.), 0.03 ml of xylene was applied to the anterior surface of the right ear of NMRI mice. The left ear was considered as control. Two hours after xylene application, mice were sacrificed and both ears removed. The effect on acute inflammation was assessed using vascular permeability increased by xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Alcoholic extract of Eucalyptus globulus with doses 100 and 200 mg/kg and essential oil leaves of Eucalyptus globulus with doses of 0.4 and 0.55 ml/kg showed significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation induced by xylene ear edema test. Its anti-inflammatory effects were similar to dexamethason. The present study indicated that Eucalyptus globule has anti-inflammatory effect on mice and should be considered in future therapeutic studies