title: Inhaled essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtuse ameliorates the impairments of cognitive function induced by injection of β-amyloid in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. & Zucc., Endlicher (Cupressaceae) forest bathing or aromatherapy has been shown in various studies to have biological functions such as anticancer, antiallergies, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activity. However, no reports exist on the pharmacological or biological activities of the essential oil of C. obtusa (EOCO) or its effects on central nervous system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aggregation and formation of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) into fibrils are central events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and overproduction and aggregation of Aβ into oligomers have been known to trigger neurotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhaled EOCO on cognitive function and neuronal apoptosis in rats intrahippocampally injected with Aβ.
  
  
  METHODS
  To model AD, 4 μg of aggregated Aβ was injected into the hippocampus. To test the effects of EOCO, behavioral performance in the Morris water maze was tested 4 days after injection. After behavioral testing, brain sections were prepared for TTC staining and TUNEL assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inhaled EOCO protected spatial learning and memory from the impairments induced by Aβ(1-40) injection. In addition, the behavioral deficits accompanying Aβ(1-40)-induced AD were attenuated by inhalation of EOCO. Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and neuronal apoptosis were significantly inhibited in rats treated with Aβ(1-40) and EOCO compared to rats treated only with Aβ(1-40).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EOCO suppressed both AD-related neuronal cell apoptosis and AD-related dysfunction of the memory system. Thus, the results of this study support EOCO as a candidate drug for the treatment of AD.
authors.affiliation: Jeollanamdo Institute of Natural Resources Research, Jeollanamdo 529-851, Korea.
authors.forename: Donghyuck
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Heejin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seol
authors.forename: Ho-Geun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Ju-Ryun
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Kyonyeo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Chul Yung
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dong-wook
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Woojin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Kwang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Youl Lee
authors.forename: Jeongmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwontack
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Yoo-Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sunoh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D029780:Chamaecyparis; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010936:Plant Extracts; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40)