Comparative study of the anti-edematogenic effects of anethole and estragole.

BACKGROUND Anethole and estragole are monoterpene position isomers and constituents of essential oils from aromatic plants and were used in this study with the aim of analyzing their anti-inflammatory activity. METHODS The anti-edematogenic effects of anethole and estragole were evaluated through plethysmometry in Swiss mice. RESULTS Anethole inhibited carrageenan-induced edema at doses of 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg from 60 to 240 min after induction. However, the inhibitory effects of estragole were observed only from 60 to 120 min at the two highest doses. Anethole and estragole similarly inhibited edema elicited by substance P, bradykinin, histamine and TNF-α but were different in the inhibition of serotonin-elicited edema. In addition, only estragole inhibited sodium nitroprusside-induced edema. CONCLUSIONS Anethole and estragole showed different profiles in the anti-inflammatory response to substance P, bradykinin, histamine, serotonin and TNF-α NO is involved only in the inhibition mechanism of estragole.