Beer AM, Zagorchev P, Draganova-Filipova M and Lukanov J
Purpose: The anti-inflammatory effects of 1,8‑cineole (eucalyptol) in the treatment of acute bronchitis and treatment of chronic airway diseases like asthma as well as hay fever have been observed in clinical practice for some time. The anti-inflammatory effect has been proven in numerous studies.
Material and methods: The effect of 1,8-cineole on the activity of cyclooxygenase and its two isoforms (COX‑1 and COX‑2) were analysed and compared with the effects of indomethacin and celecoxib.
Results: The ratio between the concentrations required to achieve 50% inhibition of COX‑1 and COX‑2 isoform activity was found to be 73.5.
Discussion: For indomethacin, the ratio is 9.71 and for celecoxib 79.5. For indomethacin, it is about 10 times less than that of 1,8‑cineole.
Conclusion: The present study provides useful data suggesting that 1,8‑cineole is a specific COX‑2 blocker.
