Evaluation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil

The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil of Satureja thymbra L. (Lamiaceae). Antinociceptive activity of the essential oil was measured by the formalin test in mice and by the light tail-flick and hot-plate methods in rats. The paw-edema test was performed in rats to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil. Motor coordination was assessed with a rotarod apparatus. Although the essential oil produced an antinociceptive effect during both the early (50 and 100 mg kg(-1)) and late phases (25, 50, and 100 mg kg(-1)) of the formalin test, it did not exert any significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in tail-flick and paw-edema tests, respectively. In addition, a significant antinociceptive effect was detected in the hot-plate test (100 and 200 mg kg(-1)). No significant change was detected in sensory motor performance. In conclusion, S. thymbra L. essential oil does not exert any anti-inflammatory effect while it may have central analgesic activity in mice and rats.