ARS | Publication request: Topical wound healing effect and phytochemical composition of heartwood essensial oils of Juniperus virginiana L., J. occidentalis Hook and J. ashei J. Buchholz

Submitted to: International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 29, 2012
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
Citation: Tumen, I., Suntar, I., Eller, F.J., Keles, H., Akkol, E. 2013. Topical wound healing effect and phytochemical composition of heartwood essensial oils of Juniperus virginiana L., J. occidentalis Hook and J. ashei J. Buchholz. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 16(1):48-55.

Interpretive Summary: Several species of junipers, including Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.), and Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei J. Buchholz) (Cupressaceae) are very abundant conifers in the United States. In fact, all three are considered pest species because of their encroachment onto rangeland and pastures. However, these species represent an extensive renewable resource and a vast potential source of valuable natural bioactive compounds. The essential oils from heartwood samples from these three species were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography. The essential oils were evaluated for wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. Western juniper had the highest concentration of cedrol while Ashe juniper had the highest concentration of thujopsene. The essential oil of J. occidentalis showed the highest activities. Additionally, the oil of J. virginiana was found highly effective in anti-inflammatory activity method. The experimental data demonstrated that essential oils of Juniperus display significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. These results demonstrate that cedars may serve as a natural source of material for treating wounds.

Technical Abstract: Ethnobotanical surveys indicated that several Juniperus species are utilized as an antihelmintic, diuretic, stimulant, antiseptic, carminative, antirheumatic, antifungal and for wound healing. In the present study, essential oils obtained from heartwood samples of Juniperus virginiana L., J. occidentalis Hook, and J. ashei J. Buchholz were evaluated for wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities by using in vivo experimental methods. The essential oils were obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method. Linear incision and circular excision wound models were performed for the wound healing activity assessment. The tissues were also evaluated for hydroxyproline content as well as histopathologically. For the anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of the essential oils Whittle Method was used. The essential oil of J. occidentalis showed the highest activities. Additionally, the oil of J. virginiana was found highly effective in anti-inflammatory activity method. The experimental data demonstrated that essential oil of J. occidentalis display significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.