1
|
de Souza Santana GC, de Jesus MVAC, Cruz ABO, de Lima AA, Lauria PSS, de Souza TA, da Silva MS, Viana MDM, Villarreal CF. Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil and its major component delta-3-carene induce antinociception mediated by serotonergic receptors. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2025:120021. [PMID: 40414579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2025] [Revised: 05/17/2025] [Accepted: 05/21/2025] [Indexed: 05/27/2025]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. (Anacardiaceae) is a South American species that widely occurs in Brazil, where it is popularly known as "pimenta rosa". S. terebinthifolius essential oil (STEO) is traditionally used for pain management. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the antinociceptive effects of inhaled STEO and its mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Swiss mice were exposed to STEO (150-600 μL) via inhalation and assessed for thermal nociception (tail flick test) and motor integrity (rota-rod test). Functional antagonism assays were performed to investigate mechanisms of action. STEO was chemically characterized by GC/MS, and its major component, delta-3-carene (D3C), was tested for antinociceptive activity. SwissADME was used to predict D3C druggability. RESULTS Inhalation of STEO (300-600 μL) significantly elevated thermal nociceptive thresholds without impairing motor performance. Methysergide, but not naloxone or yohimbine, reversed STEO-induced antinociception, implying serotonergic receptor involvement. D3C was identified as the major constituent of STEO and, when administered orally (1.5-25 mg/kg), also promoted antinociceptive effects reversed by methysergide. In silico pharmacokinetics predicted favorable drug-like properties for D3C, supporting its role in STEO's antinociceptive effects. CONCLUSIONS STEO inhalation promoted antinociception mediated by serotonergic receptors, corroborating its traditional use. D3C was likely a significant contributor to STEO's antinociceptive properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alyne Almeida de Lima
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, 40.170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ, 40.296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Pedro Santana Sales Lauria
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, 40.170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, 92037, San Diego, CA, United States.
| | - Thalisson Amorim de Souza
- Institute for Research on Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.059-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Sobral da Silva
- Institute for Research on Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraíba, 58.059-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
| | | | - Cristiane Flora Villarreal
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, 40.170-115, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ, 40.296-710, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Angulo SM, Occhieppo VB, Moya C, Crespo R, Bregonzio C. Anxiolytic-like Effect Characterization of Essential Oil from Local Lavender Cultivation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2025; 18:624. [PMID: 40430445 PMCID: PMC12114822 DOI: 10.3390/ph18050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2025] [Revised: 04/15/2025] [Accepted: 04/23/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders have a 7.3% worldwide prevalence and, considering the long period of treatment, developing new efficient and safer pharmacological tools is critical. Essential oils consist of highly concentrated lipophilic compounds from plants with therapeutic potential effects, such as Lavandula burnatii, produced in Córdoba, Argentine, with high levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients in its essential oil (linalyl acetate and linalool). The evidence indicates that lavender essential oil could induce anxiolytic effects; however, more systematic studies are needed. Methods: To test the anxiolytic attributes of Lavandula burnatii, male Wistar rats (200-260 g) were injected intraperitoneally with two different doses of essential oil (30/80 mg/kg) or vehicle (Myritol 318, a high-purity vegetable oil), once (acute) or for 7 days. One hour after the last administration, the anxiolytic effects were evaluated using the following behavioral tests: the dark-light test and the elevated plus maze test. The open-field test was used to assess locomotor activity. Results: Our results showed that the lower dose of lavender essential oil induces anxiolytic effects since it increases the time spent in the aversive compartment in each evaluation. The acute administration has no impact on the behaviors evaluated. The higher dose is comparable with the control group and does not show significant differences. Conclusions: More studies are needed to better characterize the beneficial effects of this essential oil for anxiety disorders and to establish an adequate dosage range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sol Micaela Angulo
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000, Argentina; (V.B.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Victoria Belén Occhieppo
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000, Argentina; (V.B.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Cristian Moya
- Asociación Civil Foro de los Ríos, Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba X5194, Argentina;
- Grupo Cambio Rural INTA “Lavandas y Aromáticas del Valle de Calamuchita”, Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba X5194, Argentina
| | - Rosana Crespo
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000, Argentina; (V.B.O.); (R.C.)
| | - Claudia Bregonzio
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental Córdoba (IFEC-CONICET), Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000, Argentina; (V.B.O.); (R.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Khojakulova U, Yessirkepov M, Zimba O, Fedorchenko Y. Massage therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2025; 45:76. [PMID: 40119884 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-025-05833-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2025] [Accepted: 03/04/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation, pain, and reduced mobility. Although pharmacological treatments, such as therapies with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic agents, have improved disease outcomes, many patients continue to experience residual symptoms that impair their quality of life. This review examines the role of massage therapy as a complementary intervention in RA, focusing on its clinical benefits and underlying mechanisms. A systematic search of Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) up to February 2025 was conducted using relevant MeSH terms. Evidence from clinical studies suggests that massage modalities-including Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, and foot reflexology-can reduce pain, improve joint function, and modulate inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) and cortisol levels, thereby promoting neuroendocrine balance and lymphatic drainage. Furthermore, massage therapy may offer additional benefits in managing comorbid conditions and enhancing psychological well-being. This review also underscores the pivotal role of nurse-led care in integrating massage therapy into comprehensive treatment plans, despite existing challenges in training and standardization of protocols. Future research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is essential to establish robust guidelines and optimize the use of massage therapy as an adjunct treatment in RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Umida Khojakulova
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Nursing, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
| | - Marlen Yessirkepov
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
| | - Olena Zimba
- Department of Rheumatology, Immunology and Internal Medicine, University Hospital in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
- National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine N2, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Yuliya Fedorchenko
- Department of Pathophysiology, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Halytska Str. 2, Ivano-Frankivs'k, 76018, Ukraine.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kettas Dolek E, Altun Ugras G. The effect of aromatherapy during urodynamic testing on patients anxiety and cortisol levels: A randomized controlled trial. Neurourol Urodyn 2024; 43:1591-1599. [PMID: 38747020 DOI: 10.1002/nau.25491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During urodynamic testing (UT), patients may experience emotions such as embarrassment, discomfort, irritability, and tension, which can cause anxiety. Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative treatment that may be employed in clinical settings to alleviate patients' anxiety before invasive procedures. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aromatherapy on patients' anxiety and cortisol levels during UT. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample of this single-center, prospective, two-armed, randomized controlled clinical study consisted of 98 patients undergoing UT. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 49) and the control group (n = 49). The anxiety level was assessed using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and measured with physiological responses to anxiety, such as changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and cortisol levels, pre and post-UT. Aromatherapy was applied to the intervention group starting 5 min before UT and continuing throughout the testing. The control group received routine treatment and care. Data were analyzed using Pearson's χ2, dependent samples t-tests, and independent samples t-tests. RESULTS In the study, post-UT anxiety in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.001), while SpO2 was higher (p = 0.021). In the study group, post-UT anxiety (p < 0.001), HR (p = 0.000), and cortisol levels (p = 0.005) decreased compared to pre-UT, whereas in the control group, anxiety (p < 0.001) and HR (p = 0.000) decreased, and SBP (p = 0.010) and RR (p = 0.004) increased. CONCLUSIONS Aromatherapy during UT positively influenced both the psychological and physiological responses to anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gülay Altun Ugras
- Department of Surgical Nursing, Nursing Faculty, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vora LK, Gholap AD, Hatvate NT, Naren P, Khan S, Chavda VP, Balar PC, Gandhi J, Khatri DK. Essential oils for clinical aromatherapy: A comprehensive review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 330:118180. [PMID: 38614262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Amol D Gholap
- Department of Pharmaceutics, St. John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Palghar, 401404, Maharashtra, India
| | - Navnath T Hatvate
- Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai, Marathwada Campus, Jalna, 431213, Maharashtra, India
| | - Padmashri Naren
- Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Sabiya Khan
- Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Vivek P Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
| | - Pankti C Balar
- Pharmacy Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Jimil Gandhi
- Pharmacy Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Khamis EAR, Abu Raddaha AH, Nafae WH, Al-Sabeely AA, Ebrahim EE, Elhadary SM. Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Early Palliative Care for Oncology Patients: Blind Controlled Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2023; 24:2729-2739. [PMID: 37642059 PMCID: PMC10685211 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.8.2729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care is the active holistic treatment of people of all ages who have serious health-related suffering as a result of severe illness, and especially of those who are close to the end of life. Palliative care is provided to cancer patients who experience serious suffering that cannot be relieved without professional intervention and that compromises physical, social, spiritual, and emotional functioning. A straightforward, low-risk, and affordable palliative care approach may be provided through aromatherapy, a type of complementary and alternative medicine. The study objective is to assess the comparative effectiveness of massage, aromatherapy massage, and massage combined with aromatherapy inhalation on cancer patients receiving palliative care. METHODS A total of 100 participants who were divided into four groups at random. The first group, designated as the control group, received standard hospital nursing care, the second group received massage only (using the odorless almond carrier oil), the third group received massage with lavender oil, and the fourth group received combined (inhalation and massage) aromatherapy. The Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL), given two weeks after aromatherapy, was used to examine participants' perspectives of care. RESULTS On the RSCL, combined aromatherapy performed best. In terms of reported physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and activities, there were statistically significant differences between the scores of the control group and each of the experimental groups. Nonetheless, the total quality of life score showed no significant difference between the control group and the massage only group (t = 0.529, p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS When paired with aromatherapy inhalation, massage has a positive effect on physical, psychological symptoms, activities, and overall quality of life for cancer patients receiving early palliative care. Nurses and other healthcare providers are recommended to support programs that provide message therapy to reduce reported bodily symptoms, psychological problems, and limited activities among cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Engy Abdel Rhman Khamis
- Medical and Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Modern University for Technology, and Information, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Ahmad H Abu Raddaha
- Department of Clinical Affairs, College of Nursing, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Waleed Hamdy Nafae
- Shefaa Alomran Hospital, Tiba, Egypt.
- Aiadi Almostaqbal Oncology Center, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Amirat A Al-Sabeely
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Pediatric Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt.
| | - Elturabi E Ebrahim
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Luan J, Yang M, Zhao Y, Zang Y, Zhang Z, Chen H. Aromatherapy with inhalation effectively alleviates the test anxiety of college students: A meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1042553. [PMID: 36687893 PMCID: PMC9853416 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1042553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Test anxiety is one of the common psychological and behavioral problems of college students, which can result in poor academic performance and even academic failure. Aromatherapy has been proposed as a promising method to reduce test anxiety in college students, but its precise efficacy has not been fully confirmed. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of aromatherapy on the symptoms of test anxiety in college students to serve as a reference for future research and provide more scientific and exact evidence. Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Science Direct, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-Text Database (VIP), and Wanfang Data were electronically searched from inception to June 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on aromatherapy for treating students' test anxiety. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for RCTs was used by two reviewers to critically and independently assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Review Manager 5.4 was used for the meta-analysis. Stata 17.0 was used for sensitivity analysis and Egger's test. Results Seven RCTs included 425 patients, with a moderate risk of bias in the included studies. The meta-analysis found that aromatherapy effectively reduced test anxiety in college students (SMD = -0.67, p < 0.01), with high heterogeneity of results (I 2 = 72%). The different types of essential oil devices used in the study are the source of inter-study heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis suggested that most effective methods were aromatherapy with compound essential oils (SMD = -0.91, p < 0.01), and using cloths or pads as the essential oil devices (SMD = -1.03, p < 0.01). There was no difference between aromatherapy and placebo control groups (SMD = -0.65, p = 0.25). Conclusion Aromatherapy with inhalation can help relieve test anxiety in college students, but more and higher-quality studies are needed. This study provides a reference for future research designs in terms of the selection of essential oil types and devices and the design of research groups. Systematic review registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022345767].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiage Luan
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Mengshu Yang
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu Zang
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- School of Nursing, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Haiying Chen
- The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| |
Collapse
|