Antidepressant-Like Activity and Physicochemical Analysis of Essential Oils from Michelia alba and Plumeria alba Flowers

Abstract

Depression is a mental disorder with an increased prevalence. Other than conventional antidepressants, essential oils have been used in aromatherapy as a complementary and alternative medicine to reduce depression. In the current study, the antidepressant-like activity of the inhalation of essential oils from Michelia alba (MAEO) and Plumeria alba (PAEO) flowers was analyzed using the forced swim test. The immobility time of mice from tested groups was evaluated statistically by the non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test, followed by the Mann Whitney post hoc test. Also, the characterization of both essential oils was determined by refractive index, solubility, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis. PAEO showed stronger antidepressant-like activity than MAEO (p<0.05) and it was equal to the positive control (essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia) (p>0.05). The GC-MS analysis revealed some calming agents in MAEO and PAEO such as linalool, linalyl acetate, phenylethyl alcohol, and methyl anthranilate.

Flower Power: An Overview on Chemistry and Biological Impact of Selected Essential Oils from Blossoms

“…Further preclinical studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory 49 , antioxidant 51 , and anticancer 115 effects of flower essential oils in vitro , as well as sedative 71 , anti-anxiety 186 , anti-stress 226 , antidepressant 255 , analgesic, and antispasmodic 193 effects in animal models. Clinical studies confirm the effectiveness of essential flower oils for specific issues.…”

“…The essential oil of the flowers of M. alba showed an antidepressant effect in animal experiments on mice, which, however, was weaker than that of L. angustifolia. The antidepressant effect was believed to be due to the presence of linalool and phenylethyl alcohol [255]. Many studies have already investigated the antidepressant-like effects of linalool.…”

“…Moreover, essential oils of flowers such as ylang-ylang or jasmine proved to be effective, environmentally friendly insect repellents and insecticides [178,228]. Further preclinical studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory [49], antioxidant [51], and anticancer [115] effects of flower essential oils in vitro, as well as sedative [71], anti-anxiety [186], anti-stress [226], antidepressant [255], analgesic, and antispasmodic [193] effects in animal models. Clinical studies confirm the effectiveness of essential flower oils for specific issues.…”

“…However, only a few studies have been conducted in humans, with lavender oil being the most clinically studied compared to the other flower oils chosen. No clinical studies using magnolia flower essential oil could be found in the databases, although it is popular in traditional Asian medicine, and antidepressant effects have already been shown in animal models [255]. Anxiety and depression are mental disorders that represent significant and, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, dramatically growing public health problems.…”