title: Anxiolytic-like effect of Illicium verum fruit oil, trans-anethole and related compounds in mice.
abstract: The fruit of Illicium verum Hook. f. (star anise) is used by many as a spice. The fragrance of I. verum fruit is characteristically anise-like. In this study, hexane-extracted I. verum fruit oil (IVO), trans-anethole as the main component, and related compounds (propiophenone, 4'-methoxy-propiophenone, trans-β-methylstyrene) were analyzed in order to clarify the emotional effect of inhaling the fragrance of I. verum fruit. As a result, although 4 μL/L air IVO did not exhibit an anxiolytic-like effect, 1 μL/L air trans-anethole exhibited a significant effect (p < 0.05). Moreover, the anxiolytic-like effect of 1 μL/L air trans-anethole was significantly greater than 1 μL/L air propiophenone and 1 μL/L air 4'-methoxy-propiophenone (p < 0.05). Thus, the anxiolytic-like effect of trans-anethole was confirmed, and it is proposed that the methoxyl group and 1-propenyl group in the para position of the benzene ring are necessary for the effect.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiyo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: Tadaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Satou
authors.forename: Chihiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yukimune
authors.forename: Ayumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Haruna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seimiya
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koike
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000818:Animals; D000840:Anisoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D029523:Illicium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009812:Odorants; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D000081248:Allylbenzene Derivatives; D000840:Anisoles; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010938:Plant Oils; C006578:anethole
keywords: Illicium verum; anxiolytic-like effect; structure-activity relationship; trans-anethole