2011 Volume 28 Pages 49-53
Aromatherapy and the plant-based essential oils are widely used for the complementary and alternative therapies of symptoms including anxiety and depression. Furthermore, it was reportedly effective for the care of patients of Alzheimerʼs disease. To investigate the pharmacological effects of essential oils, we have developed an in vitro assays system using GT1-7 cells (immortalized hypothalamic neurons). Among tested 21 essential oils, we found that the neuronal death induced by hydrogen peroxide was attenuated by lemon, black pepper, geranium, juniper berry, majoram, eucalyptus, lavender, vanilla, and clarysage. We also examined the radical scavenger activity using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and the SOD (super oxide dismutase)-like activity. Our developed in vitro assay system could be useful for the neuropharmacological study of essential oils.
