Evaluation of Central Nervous System Acting Effects of Plant-Derived Essential Oils Using Ambulatory Activity in Mice

Toyoshi Umezu

Biological Imaging and Analysis Section, Center for Environmental Measurement and Analysis, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/pp.2013.42023                

Abstract

Although plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have traditionally been used for treating various kinds of mental disorders, their Central Nervous System (CNS) acting effects have not yet been clarified well. The present study examined effects of 30 kinds of EOs on ambulatory activity, a kind of spontaneous motor activity, in ICR mice. Nineteen kinds of them did not produce any significant effects on the ambulatory activity of mice. Although effects of EOs of lavender, jasmine and neroli on the activity were statistically significant, their CNS acting properties remained unclear. EOs of peppermint, chamomile, thyme, tea tree, rosemary and basil significantly increased the ambulatory activity of mice as well as CNS stimulants, suggesting that they possess CNS stimulant-like effects. In contrast, an EO of myrtle significantly decreased the activity as well as CNS depressants, suggesting that it possesses a CNS depressant-like effect. An EO of palmarosa significantly increased the activity at a lower dose and decreased at a higher dose as well as some kinds of CNS depressants such as ethanol, suggesting that it also possesses a CNS depressant-like effect. These 8 kinds of EOs might be useful for treating some kinds of mental troubles and/or symptoms through their CNS acting effects.

Keywords

Essential Oil; Pharmacology; Psychoactive Effect; Behavior; Locomotion; Mouse

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	M. Lis-Balchin, “Essential Oils and ‘Aromatherapy’: Their Modern Role in Healing,” Journal of the Royal Society of Health, Vol. 117, No. 5, 1997, pp. 324-329. doi:10.1177/146642409711700511
[2]	J. Buckle, “Use of Aromatherapy as a Complementary Treatment of Chronic Pain,” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 5, No. 5, 1999, pp. 42-51.
[3]	N. Perry and E. Perry, “Aromatherapy in the Management of Psychiatric Disorders. Clinical and Neuropharmacological Perspectives,” CNS Drugs, Vol. 20, No. 4, 2006, pp. 257-280. doi:10.2165/00023210-200620040-00001
[4]	T. Umezu, “Anticonflict Effects of Plant-Derived Essential Oil,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 64, No. 1, 1999, pp. 35-40. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(99)00115-X
[5]	T. Umezu, “Behavioral Effects of Plant-Derived Essential Oils in the Geller Type Conflict Test in Mice,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 83, No. 2, 2000, pp. 150- 153. doi:10.1254/jjp.83.150
[6]	T. Umezu, “Evidence for Dopamine Involvement in Ambulation Promoted By Menthone in Mice,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 91, No. 3, 2009, pp. 315-320. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2008.07.017
[7]	T. Umezu, “Evidence for Dopamine Involvement in Ambulation Promoted by Pulegone in Mice,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 94, No. 4, 2010, pp. 497-502. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2009.11.001
[8]	T. Umezu and M. Morita, “Evidence for the Involvement of Dopamine in Ambulation Promoted by Menthol in Mice,” Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, Vol. 91, No. 2, 2003, pp. 125-135. doi:10.1254/jphs.91.125
[9]	T. Umezu, A. Sakata and H. Ito, “Ambulation-Promoting Effect of Peppermint Oil and Identification of Its Active Constituents,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 69, No. 3-4, 2001, pp. 383-390. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(01)00543-3
[10]	T. Umezu T, H. Ito, K. Nagano, M. Yamakoshi, H. Oouchi, M. Sakaniwa and M. Morita, “Anticonflict Effects of Rose Oil and Identification of Its Active Constituents,” Life Sciences, Vol. 72, No. 1, 2002, pp. 91-102. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(02)02197-5
[11]	T. Umezu, K. Nagano, H. Ito, K. Kosakai, M. Sakaniwa and M. Morita, “Anticonflict Effects of Lavender Oil and Identification of Its Active Constituents,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 85, No. 4, 2006, pp. 713-721. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2006.10.026
[12]	G. Buchbauer, L. Jirovetz and W. J?ger, “Aromatherapy: Evidence for Sedative Effects of the Essential Oil of Lavender after Inhalation,” Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C-A Journal of Biosciencesz, Vol. 46, No. 11-12, 1991, pp. 1967-1972.
[13]	G. Buchbauer, L. Jirovetz, W. J?ger, C. Plank and H. Dietrich, “Fragrance Compounds and Essential Oils with Sedative Effects upon Inhalation,” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 82, No. 6, 1993, pp. 660-664. doi:10.1002/jps.2600820623
[14]	T. Rossi, M. Melegari, A. Bianchi, A. Albasini and G. Vampa, “Sedative, Anti-Inflamatory and Anti-Diuretic Effects Induced in Rats by Essential Oils of Varieties of Anthemis nobilis: A Comparative Study,” Pharmacological Research Communications, Vol. 20, Suppl. 5, 1988, pp. 71-74. doi:10.1016/S0031-6989(88)80844-0
[15]	M. I. R. Carvalho-Freitas and M. Costa, “Anxiolytic and Sedative Effects of Extracts and Essential Oil from Citrus aurantium L.,” Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 12, 2002, pp. 1629-1633. doi:10.1248/bpb.25.1629
[16]	T. Komori, R. Fujiwara, M. Tanida and J. Nomura, “Potential Antidepressant Effects of Lemon Odor in Rats,” European Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol. 5, No. 4, 1995, pp. 477-480. doi:10.1016/0924-977X(95)00020-P
[17]	T. Tsuchiya, M. Tanida, S. Uenoyama and Y. Nakayama, “Effects of Olfactory Stimulation with Jasmine and Its Component Chemicals on the Duration of Pentobarbital- Induced Sleep in Mice,” Life Sciences, Vol. 50, No. 15, 1992, pp. 1097-1102. doi:10.1016/0024-3205(92)90346-Q
[18]	K. A. Kovar, B. Gropper, D. Friess and H. P. Ammon, “Bood Levels of 1,8-Cineol and Locomotor Activity of Mice after Inhalation and Oral Administration of Rosemary Oil,” Planta Medica, Vol. 53, No. 4, 1987, pp. 315- 318. doi:10.1055/s-2006-962725
[19]	G. Wake, J. Court, A. Pickering, R. Lewis, R. Wilkins and E. Perry, “CNS Acetylcholine Receptor Activity in European Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used to Improve Failing Memory,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol. 69, No. 2, 2000, pp. 105-114. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(99)00113-0
[20]	H. Kuribara, H. Haraguchi and S. Tadokoro, “Comparisons between Discrete Lever-Press and Shuttle Avoidance Responses in Mice: Acquisition Processes and Psychoactive Drugs,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 38, No. 2, 1985, pp. 141-51. doi:10.1254/jjp.38.141
[21]	H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Comparison of Susceptibilities to the Effect of Antipsychotic Drugs on Lever- Press Avoidance Response between Mice and Rats,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 33, No. 6, 1983, pp. 1127-1133. doi:10.1254/jjp.33.1127
[22]	H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Conditioned Lever-Press Avoidance Response in Mice: Acquisition Processes and Effects of Diazepam,” Psychopharmacology (Berlin), Vol. 82, No. 1-2, 1984, pp. 36-40. doi:10.1007/BF00426377
[23]	H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Effects of Psychoactive Drugs on Conditioned Avoidance Response in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus): Comparison with Wistar Rats and dd Mice,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 23, No. 6, 1985, pp. 1013-1018. doi:10.1016/0091-3057(85)90108-X
[24]	T. Umezu, H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Acquisition Process and Effects of Psychoactive Drugs on Discrete Shuttle Avoidance Response in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus),” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 47, No. 3, 1988, pp. 245-252. doi:10.1254/jjp.47.245
[25]	T. Umezu, H. Kuribara, K. Hirate, T. Saito and S. Tadokoro, “A Brief Brain Ischemia Produces Morphological Damage of Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Cells without Affecting the Sensitivities to Psychoactive Drugs in Two Types of Discrete Avoidance Tasks in Mongolian Gerbils,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 50, No. 1, 1989, pp. 63-69. doi:10.1254/jjp.50.63
[26]	T. Umezu, “Evaluation of the Effects of Plant-Derived Essential Oils on Central Nervous System Function Using Discrete Shuttle-Type Conditioned Avoidance Response in Mice,” Phytotherapy Research, Vol. 26, No. 6, 2012, pp. 884-891. doi:10.1002/ptr.3665
[27]	H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Development of Tolerance to Ambulation-Increasing Effect of Scopolamine Dependent on Environmental Factors in Mice,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 33, No. 5, 1983, pp. 1041-1048. doi:10.1254/jjp.33.1041
[28]	T. Asami, H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Effects of Repeated Administration of Bromocryptine on Ambulatory Activity in Mice,” Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 6, No. 3, 1986, pp. 309-317.
[29]	H. Kuribara and S. Tadokoro, “Circadian Variation in the Ambulation-Increasing Effect of Apomorphine after Repeated Administration in Mice,” Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol.4, No. 3, 1984, pp. 231-236.
[30]	H. Kuribara, T. Asami, I. Ida and S. Tadokoro, “Characteristics of the Ambulation-Increasing Effect of the Non- Competitive NMDA Antagonist MK-801 in Mice: Assessment by the Coadministration with Central-Acting drugs,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 50, No. 1, 1992, pp. 11-18. doi:10.1254/jjp.58.11
[31]	H. Kuribara and Y. Uchihashi, “Dopamine Antagonists Can Inhibit Methamphetamine Sensitization, but Not Cocaine Sensitization, when Assessed by Ambulatory Activity in Mice,” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Vol. 45, No.12, 1993, pp. 1042-1045. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1993.tb07177.x
[32]	H. Kuribara, “Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor Antagonists Suppress Acute Stimulant Action of Cocaine, but Enhance Cocaine Sensitization,” Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology, Vol. 48, No. 4, 1994, pp. 907- 911.
[33]	H. Kuribara, “Caffeine Enhances the Stimulant Effect of Methamphetamine, but May Not Affect Induction of Methamphetamine Sensitization of Ambulation in Mice,” Psychopharmacology, Vol. 116, No. 2, 1994, pp. 125-129. doi:10.1007/BF02245053
[34]	H. Kuribara, “Modification of Morphine Sensitization by Opioid and Dopamine Receptor Antagonists: Evaluation by Studying Ambulation in Mice,” European Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 275, No. 3, 1995, pp. 251-258. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(94)00787-8
[35]	H. Kuribara, “Inhibition of Methamphetamine Sensitization by Post-Methamphetamine Treatment with SCH 23390 or Haloperidol,” Psychopharmacology, Vol. 119, No. 1, 1995, pp. 34-38. doi:10.1007/BF02246051
[36]	T. Umezu, J. Yonemoto, Y. Soma and T. Suzuki, “Tris(2- chloroethyl)phosphate Increases Ambulatory Activity in Mice. Pharmacological Analyses of Its Neurochemical Mechanism,” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 148, No. 1, 1998, pp. 109-116. doi:10.1006/taap.1997.8312
[37]	T. Umezu, K. Nakamiya, K. Kita, T. Ochi, Y. Shibata and M. Morita, “Diphenylarsinic Acid Produces Behavioral Effects in Mice Relevant to Symptoms Observed in Citizens who Ingested Well Water,” Neurotoxicology and Teratology, Vol. 34, No. 1, 2012, pp. 143-151. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2011.08.007
[38]	T. Umezu, “Unusual Effects of Nicotine as a Psychostimulant on Ambulatory Activity in Mice,” ISRN Pharmacology, Vol. 2012, 2012, Article ID: 170981. doi:10.5402/2012/170981
[39]	C. T. Dourish, “A Pharmacological Analysis of the Hyperactivity Syndrome Induced by Beta-Phenylethylamine in the Mouse,” British Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 77, No. 1, 1982, pp. 129-139. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.1982.tb09278.x
[40]	R. Redolat, J. Vidal, M. C. Gomez and M. C. Carrasco, “Effects of Acute Bupropion Administration on Locomotor Activity in Adolescent and Adult Mice,” Behavioural Pharmacology, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2005, pp. 59-62. doi:10.1097/00008877-200502000-00007
[41]	T. E. Wooters, M. T. Bardo, L. P. Dwoskin, N. M. Midde, A. M. Gomez, C. F. Mactutus, R. M. Booze and J. Zhu, “Effect of Environmental Enrichment on Methylphenidate-Induced Locomotion and Dopamine Transporter Dynamics,” Behavioural Brain Research, Vol. 219, No. 1, 2011, pp. 98-107. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2011.01.001
[42]	W. Koek and F. C. Colpaert, “Inhibition of Methylphenidate-Induced Behaviors in Rats-Differences among Neuroleptics,” Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Vol. 267, No. 1, 1993, pp. 181-91.
[43]	A. Kuzmin, B. Johansson, L. Gimenez, S. O. Ogren and B. B. Fredholm, “Combination of Adenosine A(1) and A(2A) Receptor Blocking Agents Induces Caffeine-Like Locomotor Stimulation in Mice,” European Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol. 16, No. 2, 2006. pp. 129-136. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.07.001
[44]	S. R. Laviolette, R. P. M. Priebe and J. S. Yeomans, “Role of the Laterodorsal Tegmental Nucleus in Scopolamine- and Amphetamine-Induced Locomotion and Stereotypy,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 65, No. 1, 2000, pp. 163-174. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(99)00195-1
[45]	Q. Zhang, Y. P. Yu, Y. L. Ye, J. T. Zhang, W. P. Zhang and E. Q. Wei, “Spatiotemporal Properties of Locomotor Activity after Administration of Central Nervous Stimulants and Sedatives in Mice,” Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 97, No. 3, 2011, pp. 577-855. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2010.09.011
[46]	F. R. C. Dias, L. W. de Matos, M. D. D. Sampaio, R. J. Carey and M. P. Carrera, “Opposite Effects of Low versus High Dose Haloperidol Treatments on Spontaneous and Apomorphine Induced Motor Behavior: Evidence that at a Very Low Dose Haloperidol Acts as an Indirect Dopamine Agonist,” Behavioural Brain Research, Vol. 229, No. 1, 2012, pp. 153-159. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2011.12.042
[47]	J. Arnt, “Differential-Effects of Classical and Newer Antipsychotics on the Hypermotility Induced by 2 Dose Levels of d-Amphetamine,” European Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 283, No. 1-3, 1995, pp. 55-62. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(95)00292-S
[48]	A. L. Chausmer and J. L. Katz, “The Role of D-2-Like Dopamine Receptors in the Locomotor Stimulant Effects of Cocaine in Mice,” Psychopharmacology, Vol. 155, No. 1, 2001, pp. 69-77. doi:10.1007/s002130000668
[49]	H. Kuribara, “Potentiation of the Ambulation-Increasing Effect Induced by Combined Administration of MK-801 with Ethanol in Mice,” Psychopharmacology, Vol. 113, No. 3-4, 1994, pp. 453-456. doi:10.1007/BF02245222
[50]	T. Umezu, “Effects of Psychoactive Drugs in the Vogel Conflict Test in Mice,” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 80, No. 2, 1999, pp. 111-118. doi:10.1254/jjp.80.111