Supercritical CO2 extraction of Aloysia gratissima leaves and evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract This work aims to evaluate the effects of temperature and pressure on the extraction yield and chemical composition of the supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) extracts of A. gratissima leaves (EAG) and then to investigate in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts. The leaves of A. gratissima were extracted with supercritical CO2 at 40, 50 and 60 °C and 15, 17.5 and 20 MPa for 120 min. The anti-inflammatory activity was performed with the EAG obtained at 60 °C and 20 MPa. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by the carrageenan-induced paw edema and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in paw tissue. The chemical analysis showed the presence of guaiol, pinocamphone, caryophyllene oxide and spathulenol as the major chemical components of the EAG. These compounds may have contributed to the significant reduction of carrageenan-induced paw edema and MPO activity in the first 3 h after the injury induction.