Lavender Oil Reduces Depressive Mood in Healthy Individuals and Enhances the Activity of Single Oxytocin Neurons of the Hypothalamus Isolated from Mice: A Preliminary Study

Lavender Oil Reduces Depressive Mood in Healthy Individuals and Enhances the Activity of Single Oxytocin Neurons of the Hypothalamus Isolated from Mice: A Preliminary Study

Background. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of lavender oil inhalation on blood pressure, pulse measurements, cortisol levels, depressive mood, and anxiety in healthy male adults. The mechanism was investigated by the action on oxytocin single neurons in the hypothalamus of ro...

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Published in:Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine Vol. 2020; no. 2020; pp. 1 - 9
Main Authors: Asakawa, Akihiro, Yada, Toshihiko, Zhang, Boyang, Fukumoto, Takamasa, Okawa, Ayumi, Yagi, Takakazu, Suzuki, Hajime, Ataka, Koji, Ogata, Keizaburo, Nakata, Masanori
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2020
Hindawi
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Hindawi Limited
Subjects:
Anxiety
Appetite
Aromatherapy
Blood levels
Blood pressure
Brain
Calcium (intracellular)
Cardiovascular disease
Corticosteroids
Essential oils
Hunger
Hypothalamus
Inhalation
Intracellular
Lavandula
Likert scale
Measurement
Medical research
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Mood
Neurons
Oxytocin
Peripheral blood
Questionnaires
Respiratory diseases
Stress
Thirst
Japan
United States > US
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Summary:Background. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of lavender oil inhalation on blood pressure, pulse measurements, cortisol levels, depressive mood, and anxiety in healthy male adults. The mechanism was investigated by the action on oxytocin single neurons in the hypothalamus of rodents. Methods. The participants (n = 7) were aged 20–40 years. After randomisation, they received an inhaled dose of lavender oil or distilled water for 20 min. They received the other treatment after a washout period of one week. We assessed the outcomes using the Self-Rating Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and self-rated unidimensional Visual Analogue Scale for depression; anxiety; and hunger, thirst, and appetite, respectively. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol concentration in the peripheral blood were assessed before and after inhalation. In the rodent study (n = 4), oxytocin single neurons were isolated from the mouse hypothalamus. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the oxytocin neurons isolated from the hypothalamus was measured following direct administration of lavender oil. Results. Seven participants completed the study. Lavender inhalation decreased Self-Rating Depression Scale score and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Ex vivo administration of lavender oil increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the hypothalamic oxytocin neurons. Conclusions. Lavender oil might be a useful therapy for stress relief, and its mechanism of action may include activation of the central oxytocin neurons.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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Academic Editor: I.-Min Liu
ISSN:1741-427X
1741-4288
DOI:10.1155/2020/5418586