Volatile Composition and Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory effect of Stachys setifera C. A. Mey

The genus Stachys L. from lamiaceae family comprises about 300 species in the world [1]. Iran is an area particularly rich in taxa with more than 34 species including Stachys setifera C.A.Mey [2]. The chemical composition of the essential oil and COX inhibitory effect of aerial parts of S. setifera has not yet been described. The oil obtained by steam distillation of the aerial parts of the plant was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. It was rich in eugenol (21.1%), hexadecanoic acid (12.5%) and linoleic acid (11.0%). Because of some previous reports about modulatory effect of eugenol on cyclooxygenase pathway [3], anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of aerial parts of S. setifera was investigated in this study. For assessment of anti-inflammatory properties, two well-characterized inflammatory models, formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema were used. Interaperitoneal injections of methanolic extract (50,100, 200mg/kg), 30min before formalin injection, had no effects against the first phase of the formalin- induced pain, but all three doses caused a significant blockade on the second phase (P<0.01, <0.001). In the carrageenan-induced paw edema, each extract revealed dose-related inhibitory effects over the dose range 50–200mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory activity of S. setifera was comparable with high dose of indomethacin (5mg/kg). In conclusion, the present findings provide further evidences for inhibitory effects of these extracts in inflammatory processes via possible interactions with cyclooxygenase (COX).

References: 1. Rechinger, K.H. (1982), Flora Iranica. Akademiche Druck-u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz-Austria. 2. Mozaffarian, V. (1996), A Dictionary of Iranian Plant Names. Farhang Moaser, Tehran-Iran. 3. Kelm, M.A. et al. (2000), Phytomedicine 7:7–13.