Phytochemical and antioedematogenic studies of commercial copaiba oils available in Brazil

The composition of eight samples of commercial copaiba oils, used in the Am azonian region as antiinflammatory agents and available in popular markets, were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). Major dif ferences were observed in their chemical composition and some adulterations were pointed out. When tested in vivo oils 1 and 3, and to a lesser extent oil 6, significantly inhibited bradykinin-induced oedema formation. The ot her tested oils had no effect. When assessed in carrageenan-induced oedema formation, oils 1, 2 and 6, but not oil 3, significantly attenuated the oed ema formation. The other tested oils failed to affect carrageenan-induced p aw oedema. Oils I and 6 were further fractionated and several sesquiterpene s and diterpenes were detected. It is suggested that the naturally occurrin g sesquiterpenes present in the copaiba oils seem to be responsible for the antiinflammatory action reported in the folk medicine. Furthermore, our re sults clearly show an adulteration in copaiba oils available in Brazil. Cop yright ((C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.