Abstract: Carapa guianensis Aublet is an evergreen typical Amazonian tree and the oil obtained from its seeds (OCg) are widely used in folk medicine of many countries in order to treat different inflammatory conditions. Therefore, the emulsions of Carapa guianensis oil (EOCg) were developed and their stability determined after storage under different conditions, showing stability and the rheological measurements showed a non-Newtonian flow behavior of the pseudoplastic type and thixotropy. Analyzes of the anti-inflammatory action on the skin of mice after administration of carrageenan indicated intense leukocyte migration and degranulation of the mast cells, and the experimental groups treated whith OCg, EOCg e EDexa (emulsion of silicone oil with dexamethasone as standard drug) showed a reduction of leukocyte migration and mast cell degranulation. The annexin-A1 (AnxA1) protein was expressed in leukocytes, but without any statistical significance. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly increased in the inflammed groups and reduced in the treated groups and the anti- inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was significantly increased in the treated groups. This experimental inflammation model showed a putative anti-inflammatory activity of Carapa guianensis oil through the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and induction of IL-10. These results suggest that C. guianensis oil can be used on the skin as a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
Keywords: Carapa guianensis oil; emulsion; skin inflammation; annexin-A1.
