Abstract: This study is aimed to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of essential oil from leaves of Citrus aurantium L. subspecies amara L.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) results showed that linalyl acetate (54.72%) and linalool (22.98%) were the main constituents of this essential oil.The essential oil at concentrations of 25 μg/mL significantly inhibited the release of nitric oxide (NO) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model in RAW 264.7 macrophages measured by Griess method.Additionally,in animal experiments,essential oil from leaves of C.aurantium L. subspecies amara L.significantly relieved the croton oil induced mouse ear edema at the middle concentration.It also reduced the fresh egg white induced mouse paw edema and presented in a dose-dependent manner in the early stage of swelling.It indicated that essential oil from leaves of C.aurantium L. subspecies amara L.showed anti-inflammatory potential.

Key words: essential oil from leaves of Citrus aurantium L. subspecies amara L., anti-inflammatory, RAW 264.7, ear edema, paw edema