Further Studies on a Mixture of Fatty Acids from Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarum) Wax Oil in Animal Models of Hypersensitivity

Abstract

A mixture of fatty acids obtained from sugar cane wax oil, the main components of which are palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids, was evaluated topically in two experimental models of hypersensitivity: the ear swelling response to ovalbumin in sensitized mice (ED₅₀ edema: 0.63 ± 0.06 mg/ear, ED₅₀ myeloperoxidase: 0.56 ± 0.04 mg/ear, ED₅₀ degranulated cells: 0.70 ± 0,08 mg/ear) and oxazolone-induced contact hypersensitivity in mice (ED₅₀ edema: 1.63 ± 0.26 mg/ear, ED₅₀ myeloperoxidase: 1.50 ± 0.28 mg/ear, ED₅₀ degranulated cells: 1.69 ± 0.08 mg/ear). Also, the effect of this mixture was studied on the chemotaxis induced by fmlp (ED₅₀ : 25 ± 3 μg/mL). The mixture showed anti-inflammatory activity in both in vivo models of allergy and in the chemotaxis test. Therefore, these results provide evidence about the potential usefulness of the mixture of fatty acids from sugar cane wax oil in cutaneous inflammatory and allergic disorders.

Key words

Fatty acids - allergy - inflammation - chemotaxis - sugar cane wax oil - Saccharum officinarum L. - Poaceae

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