title: Sedative effects of vapor inhalation of agarwood oil and spikenard extract and identification of their active components.
abstract: Agarwood oil and spikenard extract were examined for their sedative activity using a spontaneous vapor administration system. It was shown that inhalation of agarwood oil vapor sedated mice. The main volatile constituents of the oil were found to be benzylacetone [agarwood oil from a Hong Kong market (1)], or alpha-gurjunene and (+)-calarene [agarwood oil made in Vietnam (2)]. A hexane extract of spikenard contained a lot of calarene, and its vapor inhalation had a sedative effect on mice. Individual principles benzylacetone, calarene, and alpha-gurjunene were administered to mice, which reproduced the result of the corresponding oil or extract. However, the most effective dose of the compounds was lower than their original content in the oil and extract (benzylacetone 0.1%, calarene 0.17%, alpha-gurjunene 1.5%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Kyoto University, 46-29 Yoshida-Shimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Michiho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shiraki
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yagura
authors.forename: Gisho
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Honda
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D027983:Aralia / Q000737:chemistry; D001593:Benzyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006586:Hexanes / Q000737:chemistry; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D029645:Thymelaeaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014835:Volatilization; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D001593:Benzyl Compounds; D006586:Hexanes; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D012997:Solvents; D000096:Acetone; C045718:lavender oil