Inhalation of low-dose basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil improved cardiovascular health and plasma lipid markers in high fat diet-induced obese rats

Effects of Fingered Citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) Essential Oil on Improvement in Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia Syrian Hamsters

Preventing hyperlipidemia and the risk of cardiovascular disease are attractive to public health. Essential oils are extremely promising nutrients for use in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, whose effectiveness is closely related to its volatile composition. We extracted fingered citron essential oil (FCEO) with steam distillation, analyzed the chemical composition, and evaluated its effects on hyperlipidemia. We identified 25 volatile compounds of FCEO with GC/MS, of which the main constituents were limonene and γ-terpinene. This study explored the protective effects of FCEOs against diet-induced hyperlipidemia Syrian hamsters. FCEOs treatment ranges from 0.03% to 0.05% with a daily diet. As of 12 weeks later, we found that the administration of the FCEOs improved the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p < 0.05). Further, LDL-C/HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) ratios were significantly reduced (39.02-68.07 vs. 80.27). Simultaneously, the FCEOs had improved lipid metabolism and histopathology in the liver. These actions suggest the potential of FCEO as a valuable source of nutraceuticals in diet-based therapies.

Linalool as a key component in strawberry volatile organic compounds (VOCs) modulates gut microbiota, systemic inflammation, and glucolipid metabolism

Strawberries are rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are increasingly recognized as potential health-promoting factors. This study explored the health effects of intaking strawberry VOC extract and its dominant terpene, linalool. The results indicated that linalool and strawberry VOC extract significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Alistipes in mice. Moreover, mice treated with linalool and strawberry VOC extract exhibited notable reductions in serum pro-inflammatory cytokines; interleukin IL-6 decreased by 14.5% and 21.8%, respectively, while IL-1β levels decreased by 9.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Triglyceride levels in the treated groups were reduced by 38.3% and 58.1%, respectively. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that Bacillus negatively correlated with glucolipid indices, and Bifidobacterium and Dubosiella negatively correlated with inflammatory factors, indicating that alterations in glucolipid metabolism might be associated with the regulation of gut microbiota and systemic inflammation.

Investigation of non-volatile and volatile compound profiles in Arabica coffee extracts and neurophysiological effects of different chemosensory stimulation according to sex: Insights from electronic sensors, EEG, and sLORETA approaches

This study investigated the non-volatile and volatile compound profiles of coffee extracts, as well as the neurophysiological effects of coffee inhalation and drinking. Non-volatile compounds, including caffeine and chlorogenic acid, were identified, and taste-related properties were investigated using an electronic tongue (E-tongue). Sourness, bitterness, and saltiness predominated in coffee extracts. 2-Furanmethanol, benzene ethanol, nonanal, and pyridine were found to be responsible for coffee odors using electronic nose (E-nose) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). Neurophysiologically, inhalation of volatiles in coffee differentially activated fast alpha and low-beta waves in both male (Brodmann areas (BA) 20, 21, 22, 36, and 37) and female (BA 9, 27, 30 35, 44, and 45) participants. However, drinking coffee extracts activated the mid-beta wave equally in both sexes (BA 2, 3, and 40). Accordingly, this study is expected to serve as a primary reference for the effects of coffee inhalation and drinking.

Linalool: Therapeutic Indication And Their Multifaceted Biomedical Applications

This comprehensive review endeavors to illuminate the nuanced facets of linalool, a prominent monoterpene found abundantly in essential oils, constituting a massive portion of their composition. The biomedical relevance of linalool is a key focus, highlighting its therapeutic attributes observed through anti-nociceptive effects, anxiolytic properties, and behavioral modulation in individuals affected by dementia. These findings underscore the compound's potential application in biomedical applications. This review further explores contemporary formulations, delineating the adaptability of linalool in nano-emulsions, microemulsions, bio-capsules, and various topical formulations, including topical gels and lotions. This review covers published and granted patents between 2018-2024 and sheds light on the evolving landscape of linalool applications, revealing advancements in dermatological, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial domains.

Post-Distillation By-Products of Aromatic Plants from Lamiaceae Family as Rich Sources of Antioxidants and Enzyme Inhibitors

There is currently no use for the vast quantities of post-distillation by-products, such as spent plant materials and residual waters, produced by the essential oil (EO) industry of aromatic herbs. In this study, the EOs of three Lamiaceae species (thyme, oregano, and basil) and their total, spent, and residual water extracts were phytochemically characterized and biologically assessed. The collected information was put through a series of analyses, including principal component analysis, heatmap analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. Concerning the EOs, 58 volatile compounds were present in thyme (e.g., p-cymene, thymol), 44 compounds in oregano (e.g., thymol, carvacrol), and 67 compounds in basil (e.g., eucalyptol, linalool, estragole, (E)-methyl cinnamate). The LC-HRMS/MS analysis of the total, spent, and residual water extracts showed the presence of 31 compounds in thyme (e.g., quercetin-O-hexoside, pebrellin, eriodictyol), 31 compounds in oregano (e.g., rosmarinic acid, apigenin, kaempferol, salvianolic acids I, B, and E), and 25 compounds in basil (e.g., fertaric acid, cichoric acid, caftaric acid, salvianolic acid A). The EOs of the three Lamiaceae species showed the highest metal-reducing properties (up to 1792.32 mg TE/g in the CUPRAC assay), whereas the spent extracts of oregano and basil displayed very high radical-scavenging properties (up to 266.59 mg TE/g in DPPH assay). All extracts exhibited anti-acetylcholinesterase (up to 3.29 mg GALAE/g), anti-tyrosinase (up to 70.00 mg KAE/g), anti-amylase (up to 0.66 mmol ACAE/g), and anti-glucosidase (up to 1.22 mmol ACAE/g) effects. Thus, the present research demonstrated that both the raw extracts (EOs and total extracts) and the post-distillation by-products (spent material and residual water extracts) are rich in bioactive metabolites with antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties.