Anti-inflammatory Activity of Pistacia lentiscusEssential Oil: Involvement of IL-6 and TNF-α

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil of Pistacia lentiscusL. was studied using carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma. The effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats inserted with cotton pellet was also investigated. On topical application, the oil exhibited a significant decrease in paw edema. The oil also inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma, and reduced serum TNF-α and IL-6. It can be concluded that the essential oil of Pistacia lentiscusreduces leukocyte migration to the damaged tissue and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.