Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function

Kennedy, David O.; Okello, Edward; Chazot, Paul L.; Howes, Melanie-Jayne; Ohiomokhare, Samuel; Jackson, Philippa A.; Haskell-Ramsay, Crystal F.; Khan, Julie; Forster, Joanne; Wightman, Emma L.

doi:10.3390/nu10081029

Cited by 80 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…A number of other differences were found between the two aroma conditions but not between peppermint and no aroma. In terms of mood, peppermint also produced a small increase in alertness, although this was not [16]. It is possible that similar mechanisms may underpin aroma based effects of peppermint, as previously suggested for sage [17] and rosemary [18].…”

mentioning

confidence: 65%

Prolonged Low-Level Exposure to the Aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil Enhances Aspects of Cognition and Mood in Healthy Adults

Hoult¹,

Longstaff²,

Moss³

2019

AJPS

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The possible positive impact of aromas of plant essential oils is an area with a long history and one that is receiving increasing interest from modern science. Previous research has demonstrated beneficial effects of acute exposure on a range of variables. The current study set out to investigate for the first time whether extended exposure to the aroma of peppermint essential oil could provide benefits to healthy young adults. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to either wear a peppermint infused non-transdermal skin patch or a blank patch, for a period of six hours during which time they went about their normal daily routine. Cognitive and mood assessments were completed and a multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant difference to exist between the two groups when all variables were analysed together. Further analyses on the individual variables revealed small to medium positive effects of peppermint aroma on aspects of memory and attention and feelings of subjective alertness. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests aroma of peppermint essential oil may act as a positive and easy intervention delivering beneficial objective and subjective outcomes. The findings are discussed in terms of putative mechanisms that might underpin the effects with a focus on possible pharmacological influences.

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mentioning

confidence: 65%

Prolonged Low-Level Exposure to the Aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil Enhances Aspects of Cognition and Mood in Healthy Adults

Hoult¹,

Longstaff²,

Moss³

2019

AJPS

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“…The main cellular receptor for peppermint odor is transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1, which is associated with AD [36,37]. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil, which has high levels of menthol/menthone and characteristic in vitro cholinergic inhibitory, calcium regulatory, and GABAA/nicotinic receptor-binding properties, beneficially modulated performance on demanding cognitive tasks and attenuated the increase in mental fatigue associated with extended cognitive task performance in healthy adults [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inability to Smell Peppermint Is Related to Cognitive Decline: A Prospective Community-Based Study

et al. 2020

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Background: A few studies have demonstrated the association of poorer olfactory identification (OI) with poorer cognition in population-based cohorts. None of them considered the outcome associated with the inability to smell a certain odor. Objective: To verify the hypothesis that at least one specific odor is associated with incident cognitive decline among older adults. Methods: In the Shanghai Aging Study, a sub-cohort of 948 dementia-free participants who had baseline OI measurements were prospectively followed for 5 years. Results: An inability to smell peppermint (β = -0.44, p < 0.001), rose (β = -0.14, p = 0.040), or coffee (β = -0.37, p = 0.002) was inversely related to the annual rate of change in the Mini Mental State Examination score, and an inability to smell peppermint was associated with a higher risk for incident dementia (hazard ratio 2.67, 95% CI 1.44-4.96) after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion: Our study suggests that some odors, especially peppermint, might be considered as a potential predictor for dementia in older populations. Inability to Smell Peppermint and Cognitive Decline

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“…Interestingly, evidence shows that both the TRP and KCNK ion channels that are modulated by hydroxy α-sanshool are widely distributed in cognition relevant brain regions [17,18]. Alongside significant levels of monoterpenes, which have been shown to exert independent beneficial effects on cognitive function [19,20], it is possible that an extract rich in hydroxy α-sanshool will have multifarious effects on human brain function. The current double-blind, randomized, parallel groups study therefore investigated the effects of a single 80 mg dose and 56-days supplementation with a lipid extract of ZA on cognitive function, mood and cerebral blood-flow parameters in the frontal cortex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Acute and Chronic Cognitive and Cerebral Blood-Flow Effects of Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) Extract—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Humans

et al. 2019

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Background: Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (ZA) is a traditional Asian culinary spice and medicinal compound, which is rich in monoterpenes and hydroxy α-sanshool. Mechanistic interactions with the monoamine, cholinergic and cannabinoid neurotransmission systems, as well as transient receptor potential (TRP) and potassium ion channels, may predispose ZA to modulate human brain function. Objectives: To investigate the effects of a single dose and 56-days supplementation with a lipid extract of ZA on cognitive function, mood and cerebral blood-flow (CBF) parameters in the pre-frontal cortex during cognitive task performance. Design: Double-blind, randomized, parallel groups study with N = 82 healthy males and females between the ages of 30 and 55 years. Assessments were undertaken pre-dose and at 1, 3 and 5 h post-dose on the first (Day 1) and last (Day 56) days of supplementation. Results: A single dose of ZA (Day 1) resulted in acute improvements on a ‘Speed of Attention’ factor and the Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task, in comparison to placebo. However, following ZA participants were less accurate on the name-to-face recall task. After 56 days of ZA consumption (Day 56), speed was enhanced on a global ‘Speed of Performance’ measure, comprising data from all of the timed tasks in the computerized battery. Participants also completed more correct Serial 3s Subtractions at the 3 h assessment and were less mentally fatigued throughout the day than participants consuming placebo. These effects were complemented on both Day 1 and Day 56 by modulation of CBF parameters, as assessed by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). The primary finding here was a reduced hemodynamic response during the RVIP task. Conclusion: ZA improves aspects of cognitive performance, in particular the speed of performing tasks, in healthy humans and results in concomitant reductions in hemodynamic responses in the frontal cortex during task performance. The findings suggest an increase in neural efficiency following ZA.

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Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function

Cited by 80 publications

References 50 publications

Prolonged Low-Level Exposure to the Aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil Enhances Aspects of Cognition and Mood in Healthy Adults

Prolonged Low-Level Exposure to the Aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil Enhances Aspects of Cognition and Mood in Healthy Adults

Inability to Smell Peppermint Is Related to Cognitive Decline: A Prospective Community-Based Study

The Acute and Chronic Cognitive and Cerebral Blood-Flow Effects of Nepalese Pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) Extract—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Humans

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