Biological Properties of Clove Oily Extracts and Therapeutic Application of Cloves Cream in Treatment of Inflammatory Pains Induced by Formalin in Mice Model

Bekkar, Nour El Houda; Meddah, Boumediene; Bouabsa, Foufa; Yahiaoui, Hamza; Zengah, Hadjer; Mouffokes, Lamia; Ould Ali, Manel; Ras Nour, Rihem Batoul; Hebali, Bouchra; Yildiz, Ilyas; Erenler, Ramazan

doi:10.30491/jabr.2026.554368.1931

Biological Properties of Clove Oily Extracts and Therapeutic Application of Cloves Cream in Treatment of Inflammatory Pains Induced by Formalin in Mice Model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nour El Houda Bekkar ¹

Boumediene Meddah ¹

Foufa Bouabsa ²^{, 3}

Hamza Yahiaoui ⁴

Hadjer Zengah ⁴

Lamia Mouffokes ⁴

Manel Ould Ali ⁴

Rihem Batoul Ras Nour ⁴

Bouchra Hebali ⁴

Ilyas Yildiz ⁵

Ramazan Erenler ⁵

¹ Laboratory of Bioconversion, Microbiological Engineering and Health Safety, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Mustapha Stambouli University, Mascara, Algeria

² Laboratory of Bioconversion, Microbiological Engineering and Health Safety, Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Mustapha Stambouli University, Mascara, AlgeriaAbdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Faculty

³ Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Biology Department, Mostaganem, Algeria

⁴ Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Mustapha Stambouli University, Mascara, Algeria

⁵ Plant Research Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Türkiye

10.30491/jabr.2026.554368.1931

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile and biological properties of clove oil extracts (COE) as a preliminary step toward developing an anti-inflammatory clove cream.
Materials and Methods: Bioactive constituents of COE were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant capacity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and the β- carotene bleaching assay coupled with linoleic acid autoxidation. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the bovine serum albumin denaturation inhibition assay and a formalin-induced inflammatory pain mouse model, respectively.
Results: GC-MS identified two major compounds, caryophyllene and humulene, together with other fatty acids. All extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with DPPH free-radical inhibition exceeding 80% at 4 mg/ml. COE showed notable antimicrobial activity, with Proteus mirabilis being the most susceptible strain, showing inhibition zone diameters greater than 10 mm. Anti-inflammatory testing revealed significant effects for all extracts, with more than 80% inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation at 4 mg/ml. The cream formulated with COE1 (COEC1) reduced inflammation by 45.59%, compared with 33.04% for the standard (niflumic acid, FLUCIDAL® 3%). Skin toxicity evaluation yielded a Primary Irritation Index of zero.
Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of the novel clove oil extracts obtained by vegetable oil maceration and the COE cream as new remedies warranting further investigation into their pharmacological applications.

Keywords

Clove Oil Extracts

Biological Properties

Clove Cream

Cutaneous Toxicity

Therapeutic Application

Inflammation