The fruit essential oil of Pimpinella anisum exerts anticonvulsant effects in mice.

This study investigates anticonvulsant effects of an essential oil of the fruits of Pimpinella anisum (Umbelliferae), a folkloric remedy in the Iranian traditional medicine, against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) or maximal electroshock (MES) in male mice. The essential oil suppressed tonic convulsions induced by PTZ or MES. It also elevated the threshold of PTZ-induced clonic convulsions in mice. The essential oil produced motor impairment. However, this effect was not observed at the doses and time courses needed for anticonvulsant activity.     

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata in male mice

In this study, the effect of an essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (Myrtaceae), an antiepileptic remedy in Iranian folk medicine, against seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES) or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in male mice was studied. The essential oil exhibited anticonvulsant activity against tonic seizures induced by MES. Although it was not effective against clonic convulsions induced by intraperitoneal administration of PTZ, the seizure threshold which was determined by an increase in the dose of intravenously infused PTZ required to induce clonus, was elevated by the essential oil. In addition, at some anticonvulsant doses, the essential oil produced motor impairment on the rotarod.     

SuHeXiang Wan essential oil alleviates amyloid beta induced memory impairment through inhibition of tau protein phosphorylation in mice

SuHeXiang Wan (SHXW), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used orally for the treatment of seizures, infantile convulsions and stroke. Previously, we reported the effects of a modified SHXW essential oil in terms of sedative effect, anticonvulsant activity and antioxidative activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of SHXW essential oil in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). SHXW essential oil was extracted from nine herbs. The mouse AD model was induced by a single injection of amyloid β protein (Aβ(1-42)) into the hippocampus. The animals were divided into four groups, the negative control group injected with Aβ(42-1), the Aβ group injected with Aβ(1-42), the SHXW group inhaled SHXW essential oil and received Aβ(1-42) injection, and the positive control group administered with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 10 mg/kg) and with subsequent Aβ(1-42) injection. Mice were analyzed by behavioral tests and immunological examination in the hippocampus. An additional in vitro investigation was performed to examine whether SHXW essential oil inhibits Aβ(1-42) induced neurotoxicity in a human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y cells. Pre-inhalation of SHXW essential oil improved the Aβ(1-42) induced memory impairment and suppressed Aβ(1-42) induced JNK, p38 and Tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus. SHXW essential oil suppressed Aβ-induced apoptosis and ROS production via an up-regulation of HO-1 and Nrf2 expression in SH-SY5Y cells. The present study suggests that SHXW essential oil may have potential as a therapeutic inhalation drug for the prevention and treatment of AD.     

当归挥发油增强白藜芦醇经皮渗透作用的研究

目的:研究当归挥发油的经皮渗透性及对白藜芦醇经皮渗透的影响。方法:建立白藜芦醇及当归挥发油中主成分藁苯内酯的HPLC测定方法。以离体大鼠皮肤为渗透屏障,Franz扩散池法考察当归挥发油经皮渗透性及对白藜芦醇透皮吸收的影响。结果:0.5%、1.0%、2.0%当归挥发油经皮渗透8h藁苯内酯单位面积累积渗透量分别为(84.88±8.70)、(129.00±8.14)、(157.80±24.52)μg.cm-2.h-1;无当归挥发油与0.5%、1.0%、2.0%的当归挥发油对白藜芦醇透皮吸收的8h单位面积累积透过量分别为(15.08±4.08)、(16.93±3.11)、(48.11±15.93)、(16.74±1.30)μg.cm-2.h-1。结论:当归挥发油对大鼠皮肤具有良好的渗透性,且呈浓度依赖性;当归挥发油对白藜芦醇具有促透作用,其中以1.0%的当归挥发油对白藜芦醇的促透效果最好。     

Antimicrobial activity against bacteria with dermatological relevance and skin tolerance of the essential oil from Coriandrum sativum L. fruits

The aim of this work was to determine the antibacterial activity of essential coriander oil (ECO) on bacteria with dermatological relevance and to assess the skin tolerance of antimicrobial effective ECO concentrations. Essential coriander oil was tested on clinical isolates of different bacteria species, all of which may cause superficial skin infections. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a standardized macrodilution test. Essential coriander oil showed good antibacterial activity towards the majority of the bacterial strains tested, including Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield group A) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with mean minimal inhibitory concentrations of 0.04% v/v and 0.25% v/v, respectively. The skin tolerance of a cream and a lotion containing 0.5% and 1.0% ECO was assessed in 40 healthy volunteers using the occlusive patch test. No skin irritation could be observed by sensitive photometric assessment in any of the volunteers. Because of its activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA combined with excellent skin tolerance, ECO might be useful as an antiseptic for the prevention and treatment of skin infections with Gram-positive bacteria.     

Neuropharmacological screening of essential oil from oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida Roxb

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida is commonly employed in traditional medicine to treat multiple ailments, including epilepsy and mania. The essential oil isolated from it was screened for CNS activities to check if it is responsible for the claims made regarding the traditional use of the oleo gum resin.

Materials and methods

The hypnotic and anticonvulsant activity was assessed by pentobarbitone induced hypnosis and convulsant models—Maximum electroshock (MES) and Pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) respectively. Effect on motor activity was evaluated using an actophotometer, rotarod and grip strength methods.

Results

The oil significantly potentiated the barbitone induced hypnosis and offered significant protection against the intensity and frequency of convulsions and mortality rate in both the convulsant models. A significant decrease in locomotion, motor impairment and loss of gripping reflex was also observed.

Conclusion

The essential oil of the oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida is a CNS depressant and anticonvulsant with central muscle relaxant properties. This justifies the claims made regarding the use of the oleo gum resin of Gardenia lucida in CNS disorders.     

山胡椒果挥发油的化学成分与抗真菌活性

本文采用GC-MS技术分析了山胡椒果水蒸气蒸馏和溶剂提取所得挥发油的化学成分。前者主要成分为正癸酸、大根香叶烯A、正十二烷酸、表水菖蒲乙酯和氧化丁香烯;后者主要成分为莰烯、3,6,6-三甲基-2-降蒎烯、癸酸乙酯、桉叶素和罗勒烯。体外抗真菌实验表明,前者对四种皮肤致病真菌(MIC值0.03～0.5ml/L)和五种污染霉菌(MIC值1.0～1.5ml/L)均具有明显的抑制活性,而后者活性较弱,这与其几乎不含倍半萜类或其含氧衍生物有关。     

Evaluation of the antinflammatory and analgesic activity of Sideritis canariensis var. pannosa in mice

The problem of drug dependence still remains unresolved. In the present study the effects of an essential oil of Pimpinella anisum (Umbeliferae) on the expression and acquisition of conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine in mice were investigated. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of morphine (2-5 mg/kg) produced place preference in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the essential oil of P. anisum (0.125-0.5 ml/kg) induced conditioned place aversion (CPA). The mice which have received the essential oil of the P. anisum (0.125-0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) as well as the oil with morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the morphine effect. Administration of the essential oil of P. anisum (0.125-0.5 ml/kg, i.p.) on the test day did not show any effect on morphine action. It appeared that pre-administration with bicuculline (GABA(A) receptor antagonist) (1.5 mg/kg, i.p., 20 min before essential oil) diminished the effect of the essential oil of the P. anisum on morphine which induced CPP, but this result was not found for the GABA(B) receptor antagonist, CGP35348 (200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p., 10 min before essential oil). In conclusion, it appeared that the essential oil of the P. anisum may reduce the morphine effects via a GABAergic mechanism.     

Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to essential oil of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta

The essential oil of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta and its fractions were assessed for anti-Helicobacter activity. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation, submitted to flash column chromatography and analysed by gas chromatography, gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance. The anti-Helicobacter activity was determined by incorporation of the crude essential oil and oxygenated fractions of the oil into the culture medium. At a concentration of 0.025 microL/mL no recovery was registered when one of the oxygenated fractions of the oil, mainly constituted by 3-methoxy cuminyl isobutyrate (about 40%), was used. This fraction revealed a higher activity against the six H. pylori strains tested when compared with the other oxygenated fractions. The crude essential oil at a concentration of 0.33 microL/mL reduced the initial population of H. pylori CCUG 15818 of 8.52 +/- 0.30 log(10) cfu/mL to 7.67 +/- 0.22 log(10) cfu/mL. The susceptibility of several Helicobacter pylori strains to the oxygenated fraction of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta essential oil suggests the possible use of these natural products in combating this widespread infection.     

Antidepressant-like effect of Salvia sclarea is explained by modulation of dopamine activities in rats

Aim of the study

The purpose of the present study was to screen aromatic essential oils that have antidepressant effects to identify the regulatory mechanisms of selected essential oils.

Materials and methods

The antidepressant effects of essential oils of Anthemis nobilis (chamomile), Salvia sclarea (clary sage; clary), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) were assessed using a forced swim test (FST) in rats. Rats were treated with essential oils by intraperitoneal injection or inhalation. Serum levels of corticosterone were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Among the essential oils tested, 5% (v/v) clary oil had the strongest anti-stressor effect in the FST. We further investigated the mechanism of clary oil antidepression by pretreatment with agonists or antagonists to serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), adrenaline, and GABA receptors. The anti-stressor effect of clary oil was significantly blocked by pretreatment with buspirone (a 5-HT_1A agonist), SCH-23390 (a D₁ receptor antagonist) and haloperidol (a D₂, D₃, and D₄ receptor antagonist).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that clary oil could be developed as a therapeutic agent for patients with depression and that the antidepressant-like effect of clary oil is closely associated with modulation of the DAnergic pathway.