Browse > Article

Stimulative and Sedative Effects of Essential Oils upon Inhalation in Mice  

Lim, Won-Churl (R&D Center, Hanbul Cosmetics Co. Ltd.)
Seo, Jeong-Min (R&D Center, Hanbul Cosmetics Co. Ltd.)
Lee, Chun-Il (R&D Center, Hanbul Cosmetics Co. Ltd.)
Pyo, Hyeong-Bae (R&D Center, Hanbul Cosmetics Co. Ltd.)
Lee, Bum-Chun (R&D Center, Hanbul Cosmetics Co. Ltd.)
Publication Information
Archives of Pharmacal Research / v.28, no.7, 2005 , pp. 770-774 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study investigated the stimulative or sedative effects of inhaling fragrant essential oils (EOs) by using a forced swimming test (FST) with mice. This behavioral test is commonly used to measure the effects of antidepressant drugs. The inhalation by mice of EOs, such as ginger oil (p<0.05), thyme oil (p<0.05), peppermint oil (p<0.05), and cypress oil (p<0.01) resulted in 5% to 22% reduction of immobility. The same results were achieved when over-agitation was artificially induced in the mice by an intraperitoneal injection of caffeine (a psycho-stimulant). In contrast, inhalation of some EOs by the mice resulted in increased immobility. To evaluate more correctly the sedative effects of EOs, the immobility of over-agitated mice induced with caffeine was ascertained after the inhalation of various EOs. Inhalation of lavender oil (p<0.01) and hyssop oil (p<0.01) increased the immobile state in mice that were treated with caffeine. The results of this study indicate that the inhalation of essential oils may induce stimulative or sedative effects in mice.
Keywords
Essential oil; Sedative effect; Stimulative effect; Forced swimming test; Fragrance; Mice;
Citations & Related Records

Times Cited By Web Of Science : 10  (Related Records In Web of Science)
Times Cited By SCOPUS : 9
연도 인용수 순위
1 Kovar, KA., Gropper, B., Friess, D., and Ammon, HPT., Blood levels of 1,8-cineol and locomotor activity of mice after inhalation and oral administration of rosemary oil. Planta Med., 53, 315-318 (1987)   DOI   ScienceOn
2 Lorig, TS., and Schwarts, GE., Brain and Odor: I. Alteration of human EEG by odor administration. Psychobiology, 16, 281- 284 (1988)
3 Tsuchiya, T., Tanida, M., Uenoyama, S., Nakayama, Y., and Ozawa, T., Effects of olfactory stimulation on the sleep time induced by pentobarbital administration in mice. Brain Research Bull., 26, 397-401 (1991)   DOI   ScienceOn
4 Umezu, T., Sakata, A., and Ito, H., Ambulation-promoting effect of peppermint oil and identification of its active constituents. Pharmacol. Biochem. Be., 69, 383-390 (2001)   DOI   ScienceOn
5 Umezu, T., Anticonflict effects of plant-derived essential oils. Pharmacol. Biochem. Be., 64, 35-40 (1999)   DOI   ScienceOn
6 Kuribara, H., Caffeine enhances the stimulant effect of methamphetamine, but may not affect induction of methamphetamine sensitization of ambulation in mice. Psychopharmacology, 116, 125-129 (1994)   DOI   PUBMED
7 Porsolt, RD., Bertin, A., and Jalfre, M., Behavioural despair in mice : A primary screening test for antidepressants. Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther., 229, 327-336 (1997a)
8 Porsolt, R. D., LePichon, M., and Jalfre, M., Depression: A new animal model sensitive to antidepressant treatments. Nature, 266, 730-732 (1997b)   DOI   ScienceOn
9 Haze, S., Sakai, K., and Gozu, Y., Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. Jpn. J. Pharmacol., 90, 247-253 (2002)   DOI   ScienceOn
10 Redrobe, J. P. and Bourin, M., Dose-dependant influence of buspirone on the activities of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the mouse forced swimming test. Psychopharmacology, 138, 198-206 (1998)   DOI   PUBMED
11 Kagawa, D., Jokura, H., Ochiai, R., Tokimitsu, I., and Tsubone, H., The sedative effects and mechanism of action of cedrol inhalation with behavioral pharmacological evaluation. Planta Med., 69, 637-641 (2003)   DOI   ScienceOn
12 Manley, CH., Pshchophysiological effect of odor. Crit. Rev. Food Sci., 33, 57-62 (1993)   DOI   PUBMED   ScienceOn
13 Lucki, I., Dalvi, A., and Mayorga, AJ., Sensitivity to the effects of pharmacologically selective antidepressants in different strains of mice. Psychopharmacology, 155, 315-322 (2001)   DOI   PUBMED
14 Tisserand, R., The art of aromatherapy Essex, Daniel, C.W., UK (1993)
15 Umezu, T., Behavioral effects of plant-derived essential oils in the Geller type conflict test in mice. Jpn. J. Pharmacol., 83, 150-153 (2000)   DOI   ScienceOn
16 Buchbauer, G., Jirovetz, L., Jager, W., Plank, C., and Dietrich, H., Fragrance compounds and essential oils with sedative effects upon inhalation. J. Pharm. Sci., 82(6), 660-664 (1993)   DOI   ScienceOn