Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice

Aromatherapy uses essential oils (EOs) for several medical purposes, including relaxation. The association between the use of aromas and a decrease in anxiety could be a valuable instrument in managing anxiety in an ever increasing anxiogenic daily life style. Linalool is a monoterpene commonly found as the major volatile component of EOs in several aromatic plant species. Adding to previously reported sedative effects of inhaled linalool, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness and social interaction in mice. Additionally, we investigated the effects of inhaled linalool on the acquisition phase of a step-down memory task in mice. Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test, increased social interaction and decreased aggressive behavior; impaired memory was only seen the higher dose of linalool. These results strengthen the suggestion that inhaling linalool rich essential oils can be useful as a mean to attain relaxation and counteract anxiety. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Inhaled linalool-induced sedation in mice

Linalool is a monoterpene often found as a major component of essential oils obtained from aromatic plant species., many of which are used in traditional medical systems as hypno-sedatives. Psychopharmacological evaluations of linalool (i.p. and i.c.v.) revealed marked sedative and anticonvulsant central effects in various mouse models. Considering this profile and alleged effects of inhaled lavender essential oil, the purpose of this study was to examine the sedative effects of inhaled linalool in mice. Mice were placed in an inhalation chamber during 60 min, in an atmosphere saturated with 1% or 3% linalool. Immediately after inhalation, animals were evaluated regarding locomotion, barbiturate-induced sleeping time, body temperature: and motor coordination (rota-rod test). The 1% and 3% linalool increased (p < 0.01) pentobarbital sleeping time and reduced (p<0.01) body temperature. The 3% linalool decreased (p<0.01) locomotion. Motor coordination was not affected. Hence, linalool inhaled for I h seems to induce sedation without significant impairment in motor abilities, a side effect shared by most psycholeptic drugs. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Óleos essenciais: verificação da ação antimicrobiana in vitro, na água e sobre a microbiota da pele humana

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Massagem com aromaterapia e sua eficiência para o usuário em internação psiquiátrica

Pós-graduação em Enfermagem (mestrado profissional) - FMB

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils

Natural products have been studied aiming to understand their biological properties. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of twenty-seven essential oils (EOs) used in aromatherapy procedures, a natural therapy with great emphasis currently used against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The agar dilution method was carried out and minimal inhibitory concentration against 50% and 90% of strains (MIC50% and MIC90% values) were reported. The S.aureus strains were highly susceptible with MIC90% from 0.21mg/mL to black pepper (Piper nigrum) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) to 26.52mg/mL with copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) EO. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) EOs were effective against E.coli (2.0mg/mL) while the S.aromaticum EO was against P.aeruginosa (8.29mg/mL). Thus, the higher susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria when compared with Gram-negative strains was found, and a large variability in the potential antibacterial has also been observed.

Cymbopogon martinii essential oil and geraniol at noncytotoxic concentrations exerted immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects in human monocytes

ObjectivesIn traditional medicine, plants have formed the basis of sophisticated systems that have been in existence for thousands of years and still provide mankind with new remedies. Cymbopogon martinii, known as palmarosa, has been used in aromatherapy as a skin tonic due to its antimicrobial properties. It has also used in Ayurvedic medicine for skin problems and to relieve nerve pain. The immunomodulatory action of C.martinii essential oil (EO) and geraniol was evaluated regarding the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- and IL-10, respectively) by human monocytes in vitro.MethodsMonocyte cultures were incubated with EO or geraniol. After 18h, cytotoxicity assays were performed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, and cytokine production was determined by ELISA.Key findingsThe variables showed no cytotoxic effects on monocytes. TNF- production was not affected by C.martinii and geraniol, and only the concentration of 5g/ml of C.martinii stimulated its production. On the other hand, all concentrations of C.martinii and geraniol increased IL-10 production by human monocytes.ConclusionsData showed that noncytotoxic concentrations of EO and geraniol exerted an anti-inflammatory action by increasing IL-10 production; moreover, geraniol seemed to be probably responsible for EO immunomodulatory activity in our assay condition.

Aromaterapia e Ansiedade: revisão integrativa da literatura

This study aimed at investigating, in the national and international scientific literature, how aromatherapy is used as a therapeutic tool to reduce anxiety. It is a bibliographic study that adopted integrative literature review as a method. Studies published on databases Scielo, Medline and Cinahl from 2008 to 2012 were selected. A sample of 20 scientific articles was analyzed, and of these, 13 had an experimental and a quasi--experimental design whereas 07 were systematic or integrative reviews. The synthesis of knowledge sho-wed that aromatherapy represents a safe therapeutic practice although it is still underestimated in health care practices. The construction of evidence levels was not possible due to discrepancies in the studied populations, in research designs, the various essential oils used and the different methods for aromatherapy application. The knowledge gaps identified in these studies are related to the need to develop new forms to evaluate the effectiveness of this practice, including the therapist-patient relationship and the different communication forms that are intrinsic to aromatherapy.

Óleos essenciais: aspectos gerais e usos em terapias naturais

Traditional knowledge is now a source for research in the search for new biologically active compounds and how effective therapy that addresses the current health care. Health policies using these sources have been encouraged by international and national organizations like the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Aromatherapy and essential oils are one of these strands rising trade and as an object of study. This monograph aims to present general aspects about essential oils and their use in natural therapies such as aromatherapy.

A systematic review of treatments for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a very common inflammatory skin disease, particularly in children. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials of treatments for atopic dermatitis (AD) was carried out to assess how many trials exist, what they cover, what they do not cover, the research gaps, provide a 'blue print' for future Cochrane Reviews and assist those making treatment recommendations by summarising the available RCT evidence, using descriptive statistics. The Cochrane Collaboration systematic review process formed the basis of the methodology, from which over 4000 studies were located via electronic database searches and hand searching of journals. A total of 292 trials were finally included covering 9 treatment groups and over 48 individual treatments. There are lots of trials covering lots of interventions but gaps are evident. However, there is evidence of a benefit in the treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical corticosteroids, psychological approaches, UV light, ascomycin derivatives, topical tacrolimus and oral cyclosporin. Treatments that show limited evidence of a benefit include non-sedatory antihistamines, topical doxepin, the oral antibiotic Cefadroxil on clinically infected AD, the topical antibacterial Mupirocin on clinically uninfected AD, Chinese herbs, hypnotherapy and biofeedback, massage therapy, dietary manipulation, house dust mite reduction, patient education, emollients, allergen antibody complexes of house dust mite and thymic extracts. Treatments that show no evidence of benefit include sedatory antihistamines, oral sodium cromoglycate, oral antibiotics on clinically uninfected AD, topical antibacterials, topical antifungals, aromatherapy essential oils, borage oil, fish oil, evening primrose oil, enzyme-free clothes detergent, cotton clothing, house dust mite hyposensitisation, salt baths, topical coal tar, topical cyclosporin and platelet-activating-factor antagonist. When interpreting the conclusions of this thesis it is important to understand that lack of evidence does not equal lack of efficacy, particularly considering the interventions that are commonly in use today to treat atopic dermatitis that have not been subjected to RCTs, such as occlusive dressings, water softening devices and stress management among many others.