Summary
The essential oil of the rhizome of Zingibercassumunar was found to exhibit a topical antiinflammatory
effect, when tested using the model of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats
(ID50 = 22 mg oil/paw). Individual assessment of topical antiinflammatory activity of the five major
component s of the oil demonstrated that (E)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butadiene (OMPBO),
terpinen-4-ol and rz-terpinene significantly inhibited edema formation, whereas sabinene and terpinene
were inactive up to 6 mg/paw. The most active compound, DMPBD, was found to be
an antiinflammatory agent twice as potent as the reference drug diclofenac (1050 = 3 vs 6 mg/paw,
respectively).