Effects of D-002 on xylene-induced oedema in ear of mice

A well-integrated host inflammatory response is essential in maintaining health and fighting against diseases, but pathological inflammation is linked to many ailments. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used to treat inflammation and pain, are among the most commonly prescribed drugs world over to treat both acute and chronic conditions, but its use is hampered by NSAIDs-related adverse effects, mainly gastrointestinal, a fact that justifies the search for new anti-inflammatory substances. Single oral doses of D-002, a mixture of six alcohols purified from beeswax, have shown anti-inflammatory effects in the rat carrageenaan-induced pleurisy and in the xylene-induced ear mice acute inflammation model, and gastroprotective effects as well. Despite D-002-induced gastroprotection has been well documented, its anti-inflammatory effects have received less attention, and merit to conduct new research. This work investigated the effects of repeated doses of D-002 on xylene-induced oedema formation in mice ear. Mice were randomized into six groups: one negative vehicle control and five xylene-treated groups: one positive control, three treated with D-002 (25.50 and 200 mg/kg) and a reference indomethacin (1 mg/kg) group. Effects on oedema formation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assessed. Significant right ear oedema was seen in the positive control group as compared to the negative control. Repeated doses of D-002 (25.50 and 200 mg/kg), significantly, markedly and dose-dependently decreased oedema formation by 44.7; 60.8 and 76.4 %, respectively, while indomethacin 1 mg/kg decreased significantly this parameter by 59.9 %. Also, while MPO activity significantly increased in the positive control group as compared to the negative control one, oral treatment with repeated doses of D-002 (25.50 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced MPO activity by 38.0; 47.0 and 57.0 %, respectively. The significant reduction of MPO activity achieved with indomethacin 1 mg/kg (57.5 %) and with D-002 200 mg/kg (57.0 %) were comparable, but the effects of the other doses of D-002 (25 and 50 mg/kg) were lower than those of indomethacin. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that repeated doses of D-002 exhibit a remarkable anti-inflammatory activity in the xylene-induced mice ear oedema, a model of acute inflammation.