Purum Kang

Anti-inflammatory effects of anethole in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIMS Anethole, the major component of the essential oil of star anise, has been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of anethole in a mouse model of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MAIN METHODS BALB/C mice were intraperitoneally administered anethole (62.5, 125, 250, or 500mg/kg) 1h before intratracheal treatment with LPS (1.5mg/kg) and sacrificed after 4h. The anti-inflammatory effects of anethole were assessed by measuring total protein and cell levels and inflammatory mediator production and by histological evaluation and Western blot analysis. KEY FINDINGS LPS significantly increased total protein levels; numbers of total cells, including macrophages and neutrophils; and the production of inflammatory mediators such matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Anethole (250mg/kg) decreased total protein concentrations; numbers of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils and macrophages; and the inflammatory mediators MMP-9, TNF-α and NO. In addition, pretreatment with anethole decreased LPS-induced histopathological changes. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of anethole in LPS-induced acute lung injury was assessed by investigating the effects of anethole on NF-κB activation. Anethole suppressed the activation of NF-κB by blocking IκB-α degradation. SIGNIFICANCE These results, showing that anethole prevents LPS-induced acute lung inflammation in mice, suggest that anethole may be therapeutically effective in inflammatory conditions in humans.

The essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso induces vasorelaxation of the mouse aorta by activating K(+) channels and inhibiting Ca(2+) influx.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso (bergamot) on mouse blood vessels and to analyse the mechanism of this effect from a pharmacological perspective.

Effects of 1,8‐cineole on hypertension induced by chronic exposure to nicotine in rats

The monoterpenic oxide 1,8‐cineole is a major component of many essential oils. We investigated its effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and oxidative stress in rats chronically exposed to nicotine.

Bryostatin-1 promotes long-term potentiation via activation of PKCα and PKCε in the hippocampus.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by bryostatin-1 affects various functions of the central nervous system. We explored whether bryostatin-1 influenced synaptic plasticity via a process involving PKC. Our purpose was to examine whether bryostatin-1 affected the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in Schaffer-collateral fibers (CA1 fibers) of the hippocampus, and/or influenced the intracellular Ca(2+) level of hippocampal neurons. We also determined the PKC isoforms involved in these processes. We found that bryostatin-1 strongly facilitated LTP induction, in a dose-dependent manner, upon single-theta burst stimulation (TBS). Further, intracellular Ca(2+) levels also increased with increasing concentration of bryostatin-1. The facilitative effects of bryostatin-1 in terms of LTP induction and enhancement of intracellular Ca(2+) levels were blocked by specific inhibitors of PKCα and PKCε, but not of PKCδ. Our results suggest that bryostatin-1 is involved in neuronal functioning and facilitates induction of LTP via activation of PKCα and/or PKCε.

Effects of Inhalation of Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara on Menopausal Symptoms, Stress, and Estrogen in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to investigate the effects of inhalation of the essential oil of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (neroli oil) on menopausal symptoms, stress, and estrogen in postmenopausal women. Sixty-three healthy postmenopausal women were randomized to inhale 0.1% or 0.5% neroli oil or almond oil (control) for 5 minutes twice daily for 5 days. Menopause-related symptoms, as determined by the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL); sexual desire visual analog scale (VAS); serum cortisol and estrogen concentrations, blood pressure, pulse, and stress VAS, were measured before and after inhalation. Compared with the control group, the two neroli oil groups showed significant improvements in the physical domain score of the MENQOL and in sexual desire. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the group inhaling 0.5% neroli oil than in the control group. Compared with the control group, the two neroli oil groups showed significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and tended to improve pulse rate and serum cortisol and estrogen concentrations. These findings indicate that inhalation of neroli oil helps relieve menopausal symptoms, increase sexual desire, and reduce blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Neroli oil may have potential as an effective intervention to reduce stress and improve the endocrine system.

Randomized Controlled Trial for Salvia sclarea or Lavandula angustifolia: Differential Effects on Blood Pressure in Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence Undergoing Urodynamic Examination

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inhalation of Salvia sclarea (clary sage; clary) or Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil vapors on autonomic nervous system activity in female patients with urinary incontinence undergoing urodynamic assessment. STUDY DESIGN, LOCATION, AND SUBJECTS: This study was a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial carried out in 34 female patients with urinary incontinence. OUTCOME MEASURE The subjects were randomized to inhale lavender, clary, or almond (control) oil at concentrations of 5% (vol/vol) each. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and salivary cortisol were measured before and after inhalation of these odors for 60 minutes. RESULTS The clary oil group experienced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure compared with the control (p=0.048) and lavender oil (p=0.026) groups, a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure compared with the lavender oil group (p=0.034) and a significant decrease in respiratory rate compared with the control group (p<0.001). In contrast, the lavender oil group tended to increase systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, inhalation of lavender oil (p=0.045) and clary oil (p<0.001) resulted in statistically significant reductions in respiratory rate. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that lavender oil inhalation may be inappropriate in lowering stress during urodynamic examinations, despite its antistress effects, while clary oil inhalation may be useful in inducing relaxation in female urinary incontinence patients undergoing urodynamic assessments.

Effect of Eucalyptus Oil Inhalation on Pain and Inflammatory Responses after Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Eucalyptus oil has been reported effective in reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eucalyptus oil inhalation on pain and inflammatory responses after total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Participants were randomized 1 : 1 to intervention group (eucalyptus inhalation group) or control group (almond oil inhalation group). Patients inhaled eucalyptus or almond oil for 30 min of continuous passive motion (CPM) on 3 consecutive days. Pain on a visual analog scale (VAS), blood pressure, heart rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, and white blood cell (WBC) count were measured before and after inhalation. Pain VAS on all three days (P < .001) and systolic (P < .05) and diastolic (P = .03) blood pressure on the second day were significantly lower in the group inhaling eucalyptus than that inhaling almond oil. Heart rate, CRP, and WBC, however, did not differ significantly in the two groups. In conclusion, inhalation of eucalyptus oil was effective in decreasing patients pain and blood pressure following TKR, suggesting that eucalyptus oil inhalation may be a nursing intervention for the relief of pain after TKR.

Bergamot essential oil differentially modulates intracellular Ca2+ levels in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells: A new finding seen with fura-2

Abstract: In this study, we compared the effect of the essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso [bergamot, bergamot essential oil (BEO)] on the intracellular Ca2+ levels in vascular endothelial (EA) and mouse vascular smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells, using the fura-2 fluorescence technique. BEO caused an initial transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in EA cells, followed by a decrease, whereas it induced a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i in MOVAS cells. Linalyl acetate (LA) as a major component of BEO-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization was similar to BEO in EA cells. The increase of [Ca2+]i by LA was higher in EA cells than in MOVAS cells. [Ca2+]i rise induced by extracellular Ca2+ application was significantly blocked by BEO or LA in EA cells but not in MOVAS cells, suggesting that BEO and LA block Ca2+ influx in EA cells. The present results suggest that BEO and LA differentially modulate intracellular Ca2+ levels in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In addition, blockade of Ca2+ influx by BEO and LA in EA cells may explain the protective effects of BEO on endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease.

Endothelium- and smooth muscle-dependent vasodilator effects of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara: Focus on Ca2+ modulation

Neroli, the essential oil of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara, is a well-characterized alleviative agent used to treat cardiovascular symptoms. However, because it has been found to have multiple effects, its mechanism of action requires further exploration. We sought to clarify the mechanism underlying the actions of neroli in mouse aorta. In aortic rings from mice precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha, neroli induced vasodilation. However, relaxation effect of neroli was decreased in endothelium-denuded ring or pre-incubation with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-Nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). And also, neroli-induced relaxation was also partially reversed by 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. In addition, neroli inhibited extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent, depolarization-induced contraction, an effect that was concentration dependent. Pretreatment with the non-selective cation channel blocker, Ni(2+), attenuated neroli-induced relaxation, whereas the K(+) channel blocker, tetraethylammonium chloride, had no effect. In the presence of verapamil, added to prevent Ca(2+) influx via smooth muscle voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, neroli-induced relaxation was reduced by the ryanodine receptor (RyR) inhibitor ruthenium red. Our findings further indicate that the endothelial component of neroli-induced vasodilation is partly mediated by the NO-sGC pathway, whereas the smooth muscle component involves modulation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration through inhibition of cation channel-mediated extracellular Ca(2+) influx and store-operated Ca(2+) release mediated by the RyR signaling pathway.

Linalool elicits vasorelaxation of mouse aortae through activation of guanylyl cyclase and K+ channels

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular relaxing properties of monoterpene alcohol (‐)‐linalool (LIN), a principal component of several aromatic plants.