Anti-inflammatory activity of oleoresin from Brazilian Copaifera.

The oleoresin from Brazilian Copaifera species yielded copalic acid and sesquiterpenes and showed marked anti-inflammatory activity using various experimental models in rats. The oleoresin significantly inhibited carrageenin-induced pedal edema following oral doses from 0.70 to 2.69 ml/kg, but was somewhat less effective than 50 mg/kg calcium phenylbutazone. Repeated administration of the oleoresin at a dose of 1.26 ml/kg for a 6-day period reduced granuloma formation with a response comparable to that of 20 mg/kg of calcium phenylbutazone. This same dose of oleoresin also reduced the vascular permeability to intracutaneous histamine. The LD50 value of the oleoresin in rats was estimated to be 3.79 (3.21-4.47) ml/kg.