Intracerebral Distribution of α-Pinene and the Anxiolytic-like Effect in Mice following Inhaled Administration of Essential Oil from Chamaecyparis Obtusa

Abstract

The anxiolytic-like and stress reduction effects following inhaled administration of essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtusa (EOCO) have been reported. Volatile components are thought to produce these effects of EOCO by neurological transfer and pharmacological transfer. The regions of the brain in which inhaled compounds are found due to pharmacological transfer of EOCO are not known. This research was undertaken to clarify the relationship between the intracerebral distribution of -pinene, which is the main component of EOCO, and emotional behavior. -Pinene was detected as the main component of volatile EOCO. The amount of -pinene in each region of the brain was measured following inhaled administration of EOCO. The amount of -pinene was different in each region of the brain. With inhaled administration of 32 L/L air EOCO, a high concentration of -pinene was observed. However, no significant differences in the concentration of -pinene among brain regions were found. A therapeutic concentration of -pinene (8 L/L air EOCO) in each region of the brain may induce an anxiolytic-like effect, and a high concentration of -pinene (32 L/L air EOCO) in each region of the brain may induce an excitatory-like effect. The increases in the concentration of -pinene from 8 to 32 L/L air EOCO in the striatum and the hippocampus were significantly lower compared with the increases in other brain regions. These results indicate that regions besides the striatum and the hippocampus participated in the increase in locomotor activity due to the high concentration of -pinene in the brain.

Citrus limon (L.) Burm f. Essential Oil Has Anxiolytic and Sedative Properties by Modulating GABAA-Receptors

“…It is well reported in literature the anxiolytic activity of two isolated secondary metabolites: limonene [50,51] and α-pinene [16,52]. All these articles highlight action of compounds on the CNS evidencing the anxiolytic property from CLEO.…”

Sedative and hypnotic effects of compound Anshen essential oil inhalation for insomnia

“…The main components of Compound Anshen essential oil are esters, alcohols, alkenes, alkyls and other compounds, with the highest content of D-limonene (24.07%), Linalool (21.98%), Linalyl acetate (15.37%), a-Pinene (5.39%) and α-Santalol (4.8%).D-limonene [42], Linalool [43], Linalyl acetate [44] and α-Santalol [45] have been reported to have central nervous sedative effect. In addition, D-limonene has anti-anxiety and soothing effects [46], Linalool has anti-anxiety and depression-like effects [47] and α-Pinene has anti-anxiety [48] and stress-relieving effects [49]. It is speculated that the sedative and hypnotic effect of Compound Anshen essential oil is related to its main chemical composition and activity.…”

Terpenoids, Cannabimimetic Ligands, beyond the Cannabis Plant

“…There are different biological properties described to α-pinene, as well as essential oils containing this compound have been used to treat several diseases [153], although no affinity towards CBRs have been described [154]. Alpha-pinene has been extensively investigated in the last years for its medicinal properties that include sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic [152,155]. In this context, Yang and colleagues demonstrated that α-pinene interacts with GABA A /benzodiazepine receptors prolonging its synaptic transmission, significantly increasing the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS), and reducing sleep latency [151].…”