OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms associated with autistic spectrum disorder. The essential oil of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson, usually known as ylang-ylang oil (YYO), is often used in aromatherapy as a mood-regulating agent, sedative, or hypotensive agent. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of YYO in alleviating anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors in autism-like rats were investigated. METHODS: The prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model was used to induce autism-like behaviors in offspring rats. The effectiveness of prenatal sodium valproate treatment (600 mg/kg) on offspring was shown by postnatal growth observation, and negative geotaxis, olfactory discrimination and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Then three treatment groups were formed with varying exposure to atomized YYO to explore the effects of YYO on the anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors of the autistic-like offspring through the elevated plus-maze test, three-chamber social test, and MWM test. Finally, the monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine and their metabolites, in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the rats were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Offspring of VPA exposure rats showed autism-like behaviors. In the VPA offspring, medium-dose YYO exposure significantly elevated the time and entries into the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test, while low-dose YYO exposure significantly enhanced the social interaction time with the stranger rat in session 1 of the three-chamber social test. VPA offspring treated with YYO exposure used less time to reach the platform in the navigation test of the MWM test. YYO exposure significantly elevated the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine in the PFC of VPA offspring. CONCLUSION YYO exposure showed the effects in alleviating anxiety and improving cognitive and social abilities in the offspring of VPA exposure rats. The role of YYO was related to the regulation of the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine. Please cite this article as: Zhang N, Wang ST, Yao L. Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 205-214.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Rats ; Animals ; Autistic Disorder/drug therapy* ; Oils, Volatile/therapeutic use* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Cananga/metabolism* ; Dopamine ; Anxiety/drug therapy* ; Valproic Acid/pharmacology* ; Plant Oils ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of Schisandra chinensis oil (SCEO) against aristolochic acid I (AA I)-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo and in vitro and elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including control group, AA I group, and AA I +SCEO (0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/kg) groups (n=5 per group). Pretreatment with SCEO was done for 2 days by oral administration, while the control and AA I groups were treated with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Mice of all groups except for the control group were injected intraperitoneally with AA I (5 mg/kg) from day 3 until day 7. Histopathological examination and apoptosis of kidney tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr), as well as renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, r-glutamyl cysteingl+glycine (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), CYP1A2, and nad(p)hquinonedehydrogenase1 (NQO1) were analyzed using ELISA, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. In vitro, SCEO (40 µ g/mL) was added 12 h before treatment with AA I (40 µ mol/mL for 48 h) in human renal proximal tubule cell line (HK-2), then apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: SCEO 0.5 and 1 g/kg ameliorated histopathological changes and TUNEL⁺ staining in the kidney tissues of mice with AA I-induced nephrotoxicity, and reduced serum levels of ALT, AST, BUN and SCr (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SCEO 0.5 and 1 g/kg alleviated the ROS generation in kidney, containing MDA, GSH and SOD (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SCEO 1 g/kg increased the expressions of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 and decreased NQO1 level in the liver tissues (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Besides, in vitro studies also demonstrated that SCEO 40 µ g/mL inhibited apoptosis and ROS generation (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS SCEO can alleviate AA I-induced kidney damage both in vivo and in vitro. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of metabolic enzymes, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and ROS production.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Aristolochic Acids/toxicity* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/metabolism* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2/metabolism* ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Kidney/drug effects* ; Kidney Diseases/drug therapy* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Plant Oils/therapeutic use* ; Protective Agents/therapeutic use* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Schisandra ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

Danshen, the dried root or rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., is a traditional and folk medicine in Asian countries, especially in China and Japan. In this review, we summarized the recent researches of Danshen in traditional uses and preparations, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and side effects. A total of 201 compounds from Danshen have been reported, including lipophilic diterpenoids, water-soluble phenolic acids, and other constituents, which have showed various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, anti-atherogenesis, and anti-diabetes. This article intends to provide novel insight information for further development of Danshen, which could be of great value to its improvement of utilization.
Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

Cymbopogon citratus is a widely distributed perennial herb belonging to the Poaceae family and has been extensively consumed for its medicinal, cosmetic, and nutritional effects for centuries. A large number of reports have been published describing the pharmacological, biological, and therapeutic actions of this herb. In this review, we summarized the literatures on related studies (up to January, 2014) that highlighted the pharmacologic and biological effects of the major phytochemicals isolated from C. citratus extracts and its essential oil. The components of the essential oils found in C. citratus have a similar pharmacokinetic properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. They are quickly absorbed following oral, pulmonary, and dermal administration. Based on the published reports, it can also be inferred that, after absorption from the small intestine, some phytochemicals in C. citratus can undergo oxidation, glucuronidation, sulfation, and/or O-methylation. Excretion is through urine, feces and/or expired volatiles. The biotransformation reactions of C. citratus bioactive constituents are essential for its relatively safe consumption and therapeutic applications. The data available so far warrant further studies evaluating C. citratus pharmacokinetics. Reliable pharmacokinetic data in humans would be critical for a better understanding of the the systemic handling of C. citratus.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Obesity Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antioxidants ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Central Nervous System Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cymbopogon ; Ethnopharmacology ; Hematologic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Oils ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Urological Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of essential oil on oxidative stress, immunity, and skin condition in atopic dermatitis (AD) induced mice. METHODS: This study was a 3x3 factorial design. Factors were oil type (Lavender, Thyme, and 2:1 mixture of lavender and thyme oil [blending oil]) and treatment period (0 day, 7 days, and 21 days). The samples were 45 mice with AD and randomly assigned to nine groups of five mice per group. The dependent variables such as superoxide radical, IgE, degranulated mast cells, and epidermal thickness were measured. Data were collected from February to April in 2014. Descriptive statistics, One-way ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD test were performed using the SPSS WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Dependent variables were not statistically significantly different by the three oil types (p >.05). Essential oils such as lavender, thyme, and blending oil were all effective in reducing AD symptoms and especially 2:1 blending oil were most effective. There were statistically significant differences by the three treatment periods in all dependent variables (p <.001). There were statistically significant interactions between oil types and treatment periods in all dependent variables (p <.01). For decreasing superoxide radical, degranulated mast cells, and epidermal thickness, 2:1 mixed oil should be applied for at least 21 days. Otherwise to reduce IgE, 2:1 mixed oil should be used for at least 7 days. CONCLUSION: These findings provide bases for developing effective interventions for AD patients to manage their AD symptoms.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic/chemically induced/*drug therapy/pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; *Immunity/drug effects ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Lavandula/*chemistry/metabolism ; Mast Cells/cytology/metabolism ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; *Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Picryl Chloride/toxicity ; Plant Oils/chemistry/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Singlet Oxygen/metabolism ; Skin/drug effects/pathology ; Thymus Plant/*chemistry/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of parenteral nutrition support with a lipid emulsion formulation (containing soybean oil, medium chain triglycerides, olive oil, and fish oil [SMOF]) in intensive care patients following major gastrointestinal surgeries.

METHODSAccording to a randomized, prospective and case-controlled design, 72 intensive care patients following major gastrointestinal surgeries between January and December, 2014 were randomized equally into SMOF group and control group to receive parenteral nutrition support with SMOF and medium or long chain lipid emulsion, respectively. Before and at 4 and 9 days after commencement of parenteral nutrition support, the patients were examined for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (propagated), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and endotoxin levels. The patients' average length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU), the days of using antibiotics, and the incidence rate of postoperative complication were recorded.

RESULTSOn day 4 postoperatively, the levels of CRP and IL-6 were significantly lower in SMOF group than in the control group (t=2.669 and 2.676, respectively; P<0.05), and on day 9, the patients in SMOF group showed significantly lower levels of ALT, TBIL, CRP and IL-6 (t=2.487, 3.497, 3.762, 2.180, respectively; P<0.05) than the control group, but ALB and endotoxin levels remained comparable between the two groups. The average length of stay in ICU and the days of using antibiotics were significantly shorter in SMOF group than in the control group (t=2.94 and 2.17, respectively; P<0.05); SMOF group showed a lower incidence of postoperative infections than the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (χ² =1.047, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor intensive care patients following major gastrointestinal surgeries, postoperative parenteral nutrition support with SMOF can effectively reduce the release of inflammatory mediators, protect important visceral functions, reduce postoperative complications, shorten the length of ICU stay, and improve the prognosis of the patients.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; chemistry ; Critical Care ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Fish Oils ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Olive Oil ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Plant Oils ; Prospective Studies ; Soybean Oil ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical treatment effects of sea buckthorn oil for in different size traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane in different size. METHOD: Prospective, randomized study of 199 outpatients with traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane who were enrolled between December 2012 and December 2014 after informed consent. The patients were divided into treatment group (101 cases) and control group (98 cases). According to the size of the perforations, patients in each group were divided into large perforation group, middle perforation groups and small perforation group. The cases in large perforation group, middle perforation groups and small perforation group were 36, 34, 31 in treatment group and 35, 33, 30 in control group. The patients in treatment group were treated with sea buckthorn oil once a week, while the patient in control group were self-healing and checked once a week. All the patients were followed-up in two months. The healing rate of two groups was applied for the evaluation indicator of clinical effect. We compared the healing rate, average healing time and phological change of tympanic membrane of patients at the first and second month. RESULT: The total healing ratio of patients in treatment group is 62.4% and 79.2% compared with 29.6% and 57.1% in control group at the first and second month (P < 0.05). There is statistical significance between the healing ratios of middle, large perforation groups in treatment group and control group (P < 0.05). There is no statistical significance between the healing ratios of small perforation group in treatment group and control group (P > 0.05). The average healing time of large, middle and small perforation group at the second month are significantly shorter than the control group. CONCLUSION It is better to apply observation method and let it self-healed for small traumatic tympanic membrane perforation according to its higher healing ratio. While, it is better to apply sea buckthorn oil method for middle and large traumatic tympanic membrane perforation according to its lower healing ratios. Sea buckthorn oil treatment is benefitial for increasing the ratio of perforation healing, shorten the healing time, resumpting of the middle ear function earlier, helping most of the patients to avoid operation and the reduce medical expense. Therefore, it is valuable to promote the method in clinical treatment.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hippophae ; Humans ; Plant Oils ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Tympanic Membrane ; injuries ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation ; drug therapy ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEUlcerative colitis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. In the present study, the effect of ginger (rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe) volatile oil on a rat model of colitis was evaluated.

METHODSVolatile oil of ginger with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, prednisolone (4 mg/kg), or vehicle were administered orally to groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6) for 5 d. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups, each group consisting of 6 rats. Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 2 mL of 4% (v/v) acetic acid solution. All rats were sacrificed 24 h later and the tissue injuries were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically.

RESULTSGinger volatile oil with all doses reduced colon weight/length ratio (P < 0.01) and the effects were similar to the reference drugs. Higher oral doses of volatile oil (200 and 400 mg/kg) reduced ulcer severity (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), ulcer area (P < 0.01) and ulcer index (P < 0.01). On the other hand, evaluation of microscopic scores showed that the dose of 400 mg/kg of volatile oil was effective to reduce inflammation severity (P < 0.01) and inflammation extent (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONIt is concluded that ginger volatile oil could effectively reduce symptoms of experimental colitis in a dose-dependent manner.

Acetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Colitis ; chemically induced ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Male ; Microscopy ; Oils, Volatile ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Plant Oils ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhizome ; chemistry

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Cocus nucifera L. flowers in reducing the major multiple symptoms of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) in female rats. METHOD: Female, virgin Wistar rats were treated with letrozole (1 mg/kg body wt) to induce PCOD, and after 21 days of induction rats were administered orally with 100 and 200 mg·kg(-1) of Cocus nucifera flower aqueous extract, respectively. Estrus cycle and blood sugar were monitored once a week throughout the study. After scarification, various biochemical parameters, such as antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH)) of the uterus homogenate, lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG)) of the serum were determined. Weights of the uterus and ovaries were separately monitored. The characteristics of changes in the ovary were evaluated by histopathological studies. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of volatile and pharmacologically active phytoconstituents. C. nucifera flower extract-treated groups showed estrus cyclicity and increased uterus weight which indicates the estrogenic effect. The improved blood sugar level, ideal lipid profile, good antioxidant status, and histopathology results revealed the recovery from poly cystic ovaries. CONCLUSION The results indicate that C. nucifera flower is a potential medicine for the treatment of PCOD and this study supports the traditional uses of C. nucifera flower.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cocos ; chemistry ; Estrus ; drug effects ; Female ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Letrozole ; Lipids ; blood ; Nitriles ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ovary ; drug effects ; pathology ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats, Wistar ; Triazoles ; Uterus ; drug effects

AIM: To examine the possible protective effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oil (SKE) on antioxidant enzyme activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. METHOD: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups randomly; group one as control, group two diabetic, with no treatment, and group three treatment with SKE at 500 ppm in drinking water, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After eight weeks, animals were anaesthetized. Blood samples were also collected before killing to measure antioxidant enzymes activity. RESULTS: SKE significantly increased the serum level of glutathione and the serum activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the treated group compared with the diabetic untreated group. CONCLUSION The findings showed that SKE exerts beneficial effects on the antioxidant enzymes activity in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Satureja ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism