Inhibitory effects of the fragrance inhalation of essential oil from Acorus gramineus on central nervous system.
The present study was designed to evaluate central inhibitory effects of the essential oil from Acori graminei Rhizoma (AGR), the dry rhizomes of Acorus gramineus SOLANDER (Araceae) upon fragrance inhalation (aroma therapy). Preinhalation of the oil markedly delayed the appearance of pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion. Furthermore, inhalation impressively inhibited the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase, a degrading enzyme for GABA as the inhalation period was lengthened. The GABA level was significantly increased and glutamate content was significantly decreased in mouse brain by preinhalation of the essential oil. The above results suggest that the anticonvulsive effect of this AGR oil is originated by the enhancement of GABA level in the mouse brain, because convulsion depends partially on GABA concentration which can be properly preserved by inhibiting GABA transaminase. Moreover, fragrance inhalation progressively prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time as inhalation time was lengthened. Ten hour inhalation corresponded almost to the effect (145% increase) of oral administration (60 mg/kg). This sedative effect after inhalation or oral administration of AGR essential oil suggests that this oil may act on the CNS via the GABAergic system. The inhibitory activity of preinhalation of the essential oil on lipid peroxidation, to which the anticonvulsive action is attributed, also supported the above results, confirming and amplifying our previous reports on the CNS inhibitory effects of AGR.
Koo
Byung-Soo
BS
Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Kyung-Su
KS
Ha
Jeoung-Hee
JH
Park
Jong Hee
JH
Lim
Jae-Chul
JC
Lee
Dong-Ung
DU
D029023:Acorus; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D027343:Rhizome; D012640:Seizures / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts