Anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities of alpha-pinene

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities of alpha-pinene, and to find the median lethal dose (LD50) level in mice. Lethal dose levels of alpha-pinene were investigated using a probit analysis method. For the anti-inflammatory activity measurement seven different groups were established and alpha-pinene was administered in four different doses: 0.05, 0.10, 0.25 and 0.50 mL/kg. For the evaluation of hypoglycemic activity six different groups, consisting of diabetic and healthy mice, were established. The strongest anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-pinene was observed with a 0.50 mL/kg dosage. The median effective dose (ED50) value of alpha-pinene was found to be 0.039 mL/kg. In diabetic mice α-pinene showed significant levels of hypoglycemic activity at the 2nd and 24th hours. LD50 level of α-pinene was determined to be 2.076 mL/kg. As a result, we conclude that alpha-pinene is a molecule that displays hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities.