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Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative... May 2024
PubMed: 38795578
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100931 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Agarwood is a traditional aromatic southern medicine. It has a long history of being used in traditional Chinese aromatherapy to treat insomnia, anxiety and depression....
Agarwood is a traditional aromatic southern medicine. It has a long history of being used in traditional Chinese aromatherapy to treat insomnia, anxiety and depression. Due to the scarcity of wild resources, people have planted trees successfully and begun to explore various agarwood-inducing techniques. This study comparative analysis of volatile metabolites in agarwood produced by various inducing techniques and its potential sleep-promoting, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant network pharmacological activities. A total of 23 batches of two types of agarwood were collected, one of which was produced by artificial techniques, including 6 batches of TongTi (TT) agarwood produced by "Agar-Wit" and 6 batches of HuoLao (HL) agarwood produced by "burning, chisel and drilling", while the other was collected from the wild, including 6 batches of BanTou (BT) agarwood with trunks broken due to natural or man-made factors and 5 batches of ChongLou (CL) agarwood with trunks damaged by moth worms. The study employed metabolomics combined with network analysis to compare the differences in volatile metabolites of agarwood produced by four commonly used inducing techniques, and explored their potential roles and possible action targets in promoting sleep, reducing anxiety, and alleviating depression. A total of 147 volatile metabolites were detected in agarwood samples, mainly including small aromatic hydrocarbons, sesquiterpenes and 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone and their pyrolysis products. The results showed composition of metabolites was minimally influenced by the agarwood induction method. However, their concentrations exhibited significant variations, with 17 metabolites showing major differences. The two most distinct metabolites were 6-methoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone and 6,7-dimethoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone. Among the volatile metabolites, 142 showed promising potential in treating insomnia, anxiety, and depression, implicating various biological and signaling pathways, predominantly ALB and TNF targets. The top three active metabolites identified were 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone, 1,5-diphenylpent-1-en-3-one, and 6-methoxy-2-[2-(4'-methoxyphenyl) ethyl] chromone, with their relative content in the four types of agarwood being TT>HL>CL>BT. The differences in the content of 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromones suggest that they may be responsible for the varying therapeutic activities observed in different types of agarwood aromatherapy. This study offers theoretical support for the selection of agarwood in aromatherapy practices.
PubMed: 38774207
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1357381 -
Iranian Journal of Immunology : IJI May 2024Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes a wide range of treatments that are gaining acceptance among the public. It is increasingly being recognized as a... (Review)
Review
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes a wide range of treatments that are gaining acceptance among the public. It is increasingly being recognized as a viable option for treating various diseases with minimal side effects. Common avenues of this therapy include herbal medicine, acupuncture, physical exercise, aromatherapy, dietary therapy, and homeopathy etc. Macrophages are highly heterogeneous cells that play multiple regulatory roles. Practices such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, physical exercise, aromatherapy and dietary therapy exert curative effects by modulating the polarization status and the secretory phenotype of macrophages directly. Furthermore, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and physical exercise influence the crosstalk between macrophages and other types of cells, including cancer cells and T cells. Mechanistically, herbal medicine and acupuncture produce curative effects in diverse diseases, including inflammatory diseases and tumors, mainly by influencing the phosphorylation of signaling proteins in macrophages. Therefore, targeting macrophages offers theoretical support for advancing the scientific understanding of this therapy and aids in identifying potential therapeutic options. Hence, in this review, we systematically summarize the different regulations of macrophages in herbal medicine, acupuncture, physical exercise, aromatherapy, dietary therapy and homeopathy, and further highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting macrophages in complementary and alternative medicine.
PubMed: 38770552
DOI: 10.22034/iji.2024.99943.2668 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Variations in the autonomic nervous system activity during exercise therapy in patients with cardiovascular diseases may lead to adverse events. Aromatherapy may reduce... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Variations in the autonomic nervous system activity during exercise therapy in patients with cardiovascular diseases may lead to adverse events. Aromatherapy may reduce these adverse events by enhancing parasympathetic nervous activity (PNA). However, the effects of aromatherapy during exercise remain relatively unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aromatherapy on autonomic nervous activity during exercise and recovery. This randomized crossover study included 20 healthy men subjected to both aroma and placebo conditions which involved rest and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer, followed by recovery. Blood pressure, heart rate variability indices, and SpO were measured during the rest, exercise, and recovery phases. Moreover, aroma preferences and emotional changes in response to the aroma were assessed. Under the placebo condition, high frequency (HF), root mean square of successive differences indices, and heart rate showed delayed recovery (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation was identified between aroma preference, pleasant emotions induced by aromatherapy, and the HF index (P < 0.05). These results indicate that aromatherapy facilitates the recovery of PNA after exercise. Furthermore, these effects were more pronounced among individuals who exhibited a stronger preference for and more positive emotions toward aromas.
Topics: Humans; Aromatherapy; Male; Exercise; Autonomic Nervous System; Heart Rate; Adult; Cross-Over Studies; Young Adult; Blood Pressure; Odorants
PubMed: 38755393
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61732-w -
Journal of Education and Health... 2024Pregnancy has always been associated with rapid physiological, emotional, and social changes that can cause mothers' stress and anxiety, eventually leading to...
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy has always been associated with rapid physiological, emotional, and social changes that can cause mothers' stress and anxiety, eventually leading to psychological effects. Therefore, resilience and knowing how to deal with stress during pregnancy are of great importance. As a result, this study aimed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on pregnant women's mood and resilience.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This clinical trial study was conducted on 70 pregnant women in 2021. Participants were randomly selected from Isfahan's health centers and then divided into two groups. A handkerchief sprinkled with orange blossom essential oil was given to the experimental group to inhale for an hour, three times a week for a month. However, the control group received only the usual care. The mood state and resilience of the participants were evaluated before the intervention, immediately after, and also one month after the intervention. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPPS) 24.0, independent-samples -test, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U-test.
RESULTS
According to the results, the score of mood state in the experimental group was 60/97±14/26 before the intervention, 40/97±14/30 immediately after receiving the intervention, and 49/86±11/78 one month after the intervention. These findings indicated that the score of mood state in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( < 0/05). Moreover, the mean score of resilience in the experimental group was 60/83±13/02 before the intervention, 66/54±7/85 immediately after receiving the intervention, and 62/80±8/07 one month after the intervention. The results showed that the mean score of this variable was significantly higher in the experimental group compared with the control group immediately after the intervention and insignificantly higher than the control group one month after the intervention.
CONCLUSION
Aromatherapy with orange blossom oil can enhance mothers' mood state and resilience during the third trimester. As a result, orange blossom oil can be used as a complementary therapy.
PubMed: 38726081
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1794_22 -
PLoS Computational Biology May 2024The sterile insect technique (SIT) can be an efficient solution for reducing or eliminating certain insect pest populations. It is widely used in agriculture against...
The sterile insect technique (SIT) can be an efficient solution for reducing or eliminating certain insect pest populations. It is widely used in agriculture against fruit flies, including the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata. The re-mating tendency of medfly females and the fact that the released sterile males may have some residual fertility could be a challenge for the successful implementation of the SIT. Obtaining the right balance between sterility level and sterile male quality (competitiveness, longevity, etc) is the key to a cost-efficient program. Since field experimental approaches can be impacted by many environmental variables, it is difficult to get a clear understanding on how specific parameters, alone or in combination, may affect the SIT efficiency. The use of models not only helps to gather knowledge, but it allows the simulation of a wide range of scenarios and can be easily adapted to local populations and sterile male production. In this study, we consider single- and double-mated females. We first show that SIT can be successful only if the residual fertility is less than a threshold value that depends on the basic offspring number of the targeted pest population, the re-mating rates, and the parameters of double-mated females. Then, we show how the sterile male release rate is affected by the parameters of double-mated females and the male residual fertility. Different scenarios are explored with continuous and periodic sterile male releases, with and without ginger aromatherapy, which is known to enhance sterile male competitiveness, and also taking into account some biological parameters related to females that have been mated twice, either first by a wild (sterile) male and then a sterile (wild) male, or by two wild males only. Parameter values were chosen for peach as host fruit to reflect what could be expected in the Corsican context, where SIT against the medfly is under consideration. Our results suggest that ginger aromatherapy can be a decisive factor determining the success of SIT against medfly. We also emphasize the importance of estimating the duration of the refractory period between matings depending on whether a wild female has mated with a wild or sterile male. Further, we show the importance of parameters, like the (hatched) eggs deposit rate and the death-rate related to all fertile double-mated females. In general, re-mating is considered to be detrimental to SIT programs. However, our results show that, depending on the parameter values of double-mated females, re-mating may also be beneficial for SIT. Our model can be easily adapted to different contexts and species, for a broader understanding of release strategies and management options.
Topics: Animals; Ceratitis capitata; Male; Female; Fertility; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Pest Control, Biological; Models, Biological; Computational Biology
PubMed: 38709817
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012052 -
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ :... Jun 2024For centuries, plant seed extracts have been widely used and valued for their benefits. They have been used in food, perfumes, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
For centuries, plant seed extracts have been widely used and valued for their benefits. They have been used in food, perfumes, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine. These natural products are renowned for their therapeutic properties and are commonly used in medicinal treatments. Their significant pharmacological profiles provide an excellent hallmark for the prevention or treatment of various diseases. In this study, we comprehensively evaluated the biological and pharmacological properties of nutmeg seeds and explored their efficacy in treating various illnesses.
METHOD
Published articles in databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Wiley, were analyzed using keywords related to nutmeg seed. The searched keywords were chemical compounds, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer properties, and their protective mechanisms in cardiovascular and Alzheimer's diseases.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Nutmeg seeds have been reported to have potent antimicrobial properties against a wide range of various bacteria and fungi, thus showing potential for combating microbial infections and promoting overall health. Furthermore, nutmeg extract effectively reduces oxidative stress and inflammation by improving the body's natural antioxidant defense mechanism. Nutmeg affected lipid peroxidation, reduced lipid oxidation, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and increased phospholipid and cholesterol excretion. In addition, nutmeg extract improves the modulation of cardiac metabolism, accelerates cardiac conductivity and ventricular contractility, and prevents cell apoptosis. This study elucidated the psychotropic, narcotic, antidepressant, and anxiogenic effects of nutmeg seeds and their potential as a pharmaceutical medicine. Notably, despite its sedative and toxic properties, nutmeg ingestion alone did not cause death or life-threatening effects within the dosage range of 20-80 g powder. However, chemical analysis of nutmeg extracts identified over 50 compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenolic compounds, which exhibit antioxidant properties and can be used as phytomedicines. Moreover, the exceptional pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nutmeg have been found different for different administration routes, yet, more clinical trials are still needed.
CONCLUSION
Understanding the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of nutmeg holds promise for novel drug discovery and therapeutic advancements. Nutmeg seed offers therapeutic and novel drug prospects that can revolutionize medicine. By delving into their pharmacological properties, we can uncover the vast potential possibilities of this natural wonder.
PubMed: 38690209
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102067 -
International Dental Journal Apr 2024This study aimed to investigate the potential reduction of academic stress related to a graded oral presentation in postgraduate dental students using coffee...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the potential reduction of academic stress related to a graded oral presentation in postgraduate dental students using coffee aromatherapy.
METHODS
Healthy postgraduate dental students in a seminar class were divided into coffee (n = 32) and control (n = 26) groups. There were 3 modes of aroma distribution: personal distribution with a coffee pad attached to a lanyard, a lanyard plus a personal fan for ventilation of the aroma, and the typical method of the diffuser to spread the aroma in the ambient air. Stress markers comprised levels of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), cortisol (sCort), and chromogranin A (sCgA). Pulse rates were also measured.
RESULTS
Levels of sAA increased 176.62% ± 30.26% between pre- and postpresentation in the control group. Inhaling coffee aroma during the presentation period significantly ameliorated sAA increase at 81.02% ± 14.90% (P = .015). sCort levels tended to decrease in the coffee group, but not significantly. Surprisingly, sCgA levels increased more in the coffee group. Also, pulse rates decreased in the coffee group (-2.07 ± 2.81 bpm) and increased in the control group (6.90 ± 3.22 bpm; P = .035). Subgroup analysis did not reveal differences in salivary markers amongst the 3 aroma distribution modes.
CONCLUSIONS
Coffee aroma could have an anxiolytic effect on postgraduate dental students, as evidenced by changes in sAA levels and pulse rates. Personal aroma distribution was also a useful and effective mode of aromatherapy.
PubMed: 38677970
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.03.018 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Aug 2024Aromatherapy, a holistic healing practice utilizing the aromatic essences of plant-derived essential oils, has gained significant attention for its therapeutic potential... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Aromatherapy, a holistic healing practice utilizing the aromatic essences of plant-derived essential oils, has gained significant attention for its therapeutic potential in promoting overall well-being. Use of phytoconstituent based essential oil has played a significant role in the evolving therapeutic avenue of aromatherapy as a complementary system of medicine.
AIM OF THE STUDY
This comprehensive review article aims to explore the usage of essential oils for aromatherapy, shedding light on their diverse applications, scientific evidence, and safety considerations. Furthermore, the growing interest in using essential oils as complementary therapies in conjunction with conventional medicine is explored, underscoring the significance of collaborative healthcare approaches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literature search was performed from databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Bentham using keywords like Aromatherapy, Aromatic Plants, Essential oils, Phytotherapy, and complementary medicine. The keywords were used to identify literature with therapeutic and mechanistic details of herbal agents with desired action.
RESULTS
The integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific research has led to a renewed interest in essential oils as valuable tools in contemporary healthcare. Various extraction methods used to obtain essential oils are presented, emphasizing their impact on the oil's chemical composition and therapeutic properties. Additionally, the article scrutinizes the factors influencing the quality and purity of essential oils, elucidating the significance of standardization and certification for safe usage. A comprehensive assessment of the therapeutic effects of essential oils is provided, encompassing their potential as antimicrobial, analgesic, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory agents, among others. Clinical trials and preclinical studies are discussed to consolidate the existing evidence on their efficacy in treating diverse health conditions, both physical and psychological. Safety considerations are of paramount importance when employing essential oils, and this review addresses potential adverse effects, contraindications, and best practices to ensure responsible usage.
CONCLUSIONS
This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the exploration of essential oils for aromatherapy, emphasizing their potential as natural and potent remedies for a wide range of ailments. By amalgamating traditional wisdom and modern research, this article aims to encourage further investigation into the therapeutic benefits of essential oils while advocating for their responsible and evidence-based incorporation into healthcare practices.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Aromatherapy; Humans; Animals
PubMed: 38614262
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118180 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Apr 2024Depression is a mood disorder mainly clinically characterized by significant and persistent low spirits. Chronic stress is the leading cause of depression. However,...
Depression is a mood disorder mainly clinically characterized by significant and persistent low spirits. Chronic stress is the leading cause of depression. However, traditional medicine has severe side effects in treating depression, ineffective treatment, and easy recurrence. Therefore, it is of great significance to prevent depression in the environment of chronic stress. In this study, aromatherapy was used for the prevention of depression. To solve the defects of intense volatility and inconvenience in using essential oils, we designed bionic nano-aromatic drugs and adhered them to the wallpaper. Inspired by the moldy wallpaper, we successively prepared the morphology-bionic nano-aromatic drugs, the function-bionic nano-aromatic drugs, and the bionic plus nano-aromatic drugs by referring to the morphology of microorganisms and substances in bacterial biofilms. Bionic nano-aromatic drugs remarkably promoted their adhesion on wallpaper. Molecular dynamics simulation explored its molecular mechanism. The essential oils, which were slowly released from the bionic nano-aromatic drugs, showed excellent biosecurity and depression prevention. These sustainedly released essential oils could significantly increase monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain under a chronic stress environment and had excellent neuroprotection. Besides, the bionic nano-aromatic drugs with simple preparation process and low cost had excellent application potential.
Topics: Bionics; Depression; Biofilms; Brain; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 38609944
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02382-y