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Effect of the Leaf Essential Oil from Cinnamosma madagascariensis Danguy on Pentylenetetrazol-induced Seizure in Rats
Abstract
In the Malagasy traditional practices, smoke from burning leaves of Cinnamosma madagascariensis Danguy is inhaled to treat brain disorders such as dementia, epilepsy and headache. In the present work we have evaluated the in vivo anticonvulsant effects of the essential oil from leaves of C. madagascariensis (CMEO). CMEO was isolated by steam distillation. The anticonvulsant activity of CMEO (0.4 and 0.8 mL/kg bw) administered subcutaneously was evaluated on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in Wistar rats; diazepam was used as positive control. Linalool, limonene and myrcene were the major CMEO constituents. At the dose of 0.8 mL/kg, CMEO completely arrested the PTZ-induced convulsions with moderate sedative effects. The traditional anticonvulsant use of C. madagascariensis was confirmed allowing us to candidate molecules from CMEO as potential drugs to treat convulsions associated with strong agitation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
... Some of them have a long tradition of use in aromatherapy as well as in folk medicine, Chinese medicine, and alternative medicines (Dobetsberger & Buchbauer, 2011). Many EOs have shown pronounced effects on the central nervous system (CNS), such as analgesic, anxiolytic, sedative, relaxant, anticonvulsive, and neuroprotective (Dobetsberger & Buchbauer, 2011;Rakotosaona et al., 2017). ...
... The use of plant EOs always has a defined place in the traditional medicine, and nowadays, many researchers have shown interest to investigate their potential biological effects and possible uses in conventional medicine Rakotosaona et al., 2017). ...
... Numerous EOs and their main compounds have been recognized as active on the CNS and have a potential to affect the conditions such as anxiety, depression, and epilepsy Rakotosaona et al., 2017). In Iranian folkloric medicine, the EO of P. roseum is commonly used for several conditions, including nervous disturbance (Zargari, 1990). ...
The anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of the Reunion Geranium (Pelargonium roseum Willd) essential oil (EO) were evaluated in male Swiss albino mice by intraperitoneal administration of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg bw using elevated plus maze (EPM), open‐field test (OFT), and forced swim- ming test (FST). Moreover, we evaluated whether the 5‐HT1A and GABAA–benzodiazepine recep- tor systems are involved in the anxiolytic effects through the coadministration of WAY‐100635 (a selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist) and flumazenil (an antagonist of benzodiazepine). GC–MS revealed the monoterpene alcohols citronellol (35.9%) and geraniol (18.5%) as the main compo- nents of the P. roseum EO. EO was effective in increasing the total number of entries and time spent in the open arms of EPM whereas number of rearing in OFT was significantly decreased in comparison with the control. In the FST, immobility time decreased in EO treated mice. Pre- treatment with WAY‐100635, but not Flumazenil, was able to reverse the effects of the EO in the EPM and FST, indicating that the EO activity occurs via the serotonergic but not GABAergic transmission. Overall, results of this work showed significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activ- ity of P. roseum EO and confirmed the traditional uses of Pelargonium species as calming agents
... The primary ingredients present in E. cardamomum EO were myrcene, 4-terpinen-4-ol, sabinene, terpinyl acetate, and 1,8-cineole. EO from the leaves of Cinnamosma madagascariensis was tested for antiepileptic potency in rats induced to have seizures using PTZ in a similar way [39]. The antiepileptic potential of C. madagascariensis demonstrated moderate sedation and reduced convulsions. ...
... The antiepileptic potential of C. madagascariensis demonstrated moderate sedation and reduced convulsions. Chemical analysis revealed the existence of significant components in the EO, including -pinene, limonene, linalool, myrcene, oxygenated monoterpenes, and monoterpene hydrocarbons [39] . ...
Abstract
Secondary metabolites are produced by higher plants and are engaged in defense mechanisms against herbivores,
pests, and diseases. These phytochemicals may also have beneficial effects on the human body, such as
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial characteristics. Due to the exacerbation of new and
reemerging infectious diseases, as well as the developing resistance to antibiotics now in clinical use, the
pressure to identify and develop novel and effective anti-infectious agents has increased tremendously. One
method for controlling diseases caused by bacteria is to use natural bioactive substances that can fight the
infection. Essential oils, polyphenols, and glycosidic glucosinolates isolated from numerous species (e.g.
medicinal and aromatic plants) have demonstrated promising antimicrobial action against a variety of human
infections. In the present review, the cardio-protective, neuro-protective, hepato-protective, and anti-cancerous
activity of various essential oils have been discussed with major constituents. EOs have proven to be safe and
significantly effective as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, anti-hyperpigmentation,
anxiolytic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents.
... On the chemical characterization of the EO, the major constituents were found to be myrcene, 4-terpinen-4-ol, sabinene, α-terpinyl acetate, and 1,8-cineole (Masoumi-Ardakani et al. 2016). In the similar manner, EO from the leaves of Cinnamosma madagascariensis was evaluated for the antiepileptic potency in rats induced for seizures using PTZ (Rakotosaona et al. 2017). This study signified the antiepileptic potential of C. madagascariensis EO through the demonstration of moderate sedation, attenuated convulsions with the possible mechanism of action of its constituents being on the glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission. ...
... This study signified the antiepileptic potential of C. madagascariensis EO through the demonstration of moderate sedation, attenuated convulsions with the possible mechanism of action of its constituents being on the glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission. Further, the chemical characterization showed the presence of major compounds, such as α-pinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, oxygenated monoterpenes, and monoterpene hydrocarbons in the EO (Rakotosaona et al. 2017). ...
Essential oils (EO), produced from isoprenoid pathways are a blend of hydrocarbons and its oxygenated derivatives, which possess many biological properties. EO are conventionally used in medications, and also for sanitary, cosmetic, fragrance, essence, preservatives, and food additives. In pharmaceutical applications, they are used as antimicrobial (viricidal, fungicidal, bactericidal), antiseptic, anti-parasitical, insecticidal, pesticidal, and herbicidal agents. Owing to the complexity and stability (singly or combinations) exhibited by EO, they have crossed the conventional boundaries, and are now explored for their efficacy against neurological disorders. EO are reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant or antiepileptic, memory enhancing, anticholinesterase, cognitive and mood effects, antidepressant, neuropathic, antinociceptive, anti-psychosis, anti-Parkinson’s, antimigraine, anti-meningitis, anti-dementia, and anti-Alzheimer’s properties. This has favored the use of EO in the prevention and cure of neurological disorders. Moreover, the mode of action of EO for these arrays of biological properties is identified, and several unknowns are being investigated. With the advent of modern technologies and methodologies, EO from many aromatic and medicinal plants are now isolated, characterized, and explored against many neurological disorders, and some have succeeded to reach the phases of clinical trials. Furthermore, EO pose negligible side effects, and are permeable to blood–brain barrier. Efforts are in progress to further increase their stability, release, and potency against neurological disorders. Thus, in this chapter, an updated summary of EO explored against some common neurological disorders along with their possible mode of action has been presented.
... and its major constituents: linalool (6.6 -30.1%), limonene (12 -17.8%), alpha-pinene (8. 4 -19.5%), beta-pinene (7.1 -49.9%), myrcene (17.9%) and beta-phellandren (15.3%) (43)(44)(45). Its proven biological activities were anticonvulsant, sedative (45) and lavicide for Culex quinquefasciatus Say (44). ...
... beta-pinene (7.1 -49.9%), myrcene (17.9%) and beta-phellandren (15.3%) (43)(44)(45). Its proven biological activities were anticonvulsant, sedative (45) and lavicide for Culex quinquefasciatus Say (44). ...
Survey have proven the popular Canellaceae family use to treat various diseases such as: muscular pains, infections, stomatitis, anti-malaric, healing, among others. The main use of these species is in the extracts form and essential oils extracted from the leaves and stem. Highlighting the importance of this family on the pharmacological point of view and the fact that few studies in the literature have reported the characterization of the essential oils compounds and their respective biological activities. The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of previous studies on essential oils of the Canellaceae family species and their biological activities. The databases Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were used for the search and a bibliographical manager was used. A total of 143 files were analyzed, of which 21 presented the phytochemical analysis and / or essential oils biological activities of these species. Few species have been studied so far, such as Canella winterana, Cinnamosma fragans, Cinnamosma madagascariensis, Cinnamodendron dinisii. It can be observed that the major constituents for these species essential oils were: 1,8-cineol, linalool, limonene, alpha and beta-pinene. And that the main proven activities were: antibiotic, antifungal, insecticide, larvicide, trypanocidal, cytotoxic, molluscicide, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulcionate. From this literature review, it was possible to identify species that have not yet started studies and possible activities of their essential oils, mainly due to the almost homogeneous presence of the major constituents, making possible new research as well as projects and programs.
... Some slight sedative effects were observed. [30] 4 ...
... Lavender and other EOs high in linalool demonstrate strong anticonvulsive effects in animal models of seizure. Zhumeria majdae, Cinnamosma madagascariensis, and Citrus aurantium blossom oil all increased latency and survival and decreased convulsions in PTZ-treated animals [30,32,70]. In one experiment with lavender oil, inhalation of 1 mL of the EO vapor 15 minutes before PTZ treatment prevented all convulsions in 100% of the animals and resulted in a 100% survival rate. ...
Many essential oils (EOs) have anticonvulsant activity and might benefit people with epilepsy. Lemongrass, lavender, clove, dill, and other EOs containing constituents such as asarone, carvone, citral, eugenol, or linalool are good candidates for evaluation as antiepileptic drugs. On the other hand, some EOs have convulsant effects and may trigger seizures in both epileptic and healthy individuals. Internal use of EOs like sage, hyssop, rosemary, camphor, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, cedar, thuja, and fennel can cause epileptic seizures because they contain thujone, 1,8-cineole, camphor, or pinocamphone, which have been identified as convulsive agents. While more research is needed to confirm their mechanisms of action, it appears that the convulsant or anticonvulsant properties of essential oils are largely due to (1) their ability to modulate the GABAergic system of neurotransmission and (2) their capacity to alter ionic currents through ion channels. This review presents a systematic analysis of the current research on EOs and epilepsy, including human case studies, animal models, and in vitro studies.
... The administration of Cinnamosma madagascariensis (0.4 and 0.8 mL/kg bw), Zhumeria majdae, and Citrus aurantium blossom oils has been found to decrease convulsions in animals treated with PTZ. Furthermore, these oils have been shown to increase latency and survival [124][125][126]. Inhaled lavender essential oil (1 mL) administrated 15 min before pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) treatment, could prevent all convulsions in 100% of the animals leading to a 100% survival rate. ...
Neurological diseases affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, and muscles. Herbal medicine has long been used to cure these diseases. One of these plants is lavender, which is composed of various compounds, including terpenes, such as linalool, limonene, triterpenes, linalyl acetate, alcohols, ketones, polyphenols, coumarins, cineole, and flavonoids. In this review, the literature was searched using scientific search engines and databases (Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed) for papers published between 1982 and 2020 via keywords, including review, lavender, and neurological disorders. This plant exerts its healing effect on many diseases, such as anxiety and depression through an inhibitory effect on GABA. The anti-inflammatory effects of this plant have also been documented. It improves depression by regulating glutamate receptors and inhibiting calcium channels and serotonergic factors, such as SERT. Its antiepileptic mechanism is due to an increase in the inhibitory effect of GABA and potassium current and a decrease in sodium current. Therefore, many vegetable oils are also used in herbal medicine. In this review, the healing effect of lavender on several neurological disorders, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety, migraine, and Alzheimer's disease was investigated. All findings strongly support the traditional uses of lavender. More clinical studies are needed to investigate the effect of the plants' pharmacological active constituents on the treatment of life-threatening diseases in humans. The limitations of this study are the low quality and the limited number of clinical studies. Different administration methods of lavender are one of the limitations of this review.
... Cinnamosma madagascariensis Danguy EOs were also tested for their anticonvulsant ability. Its essential oils restrained convulsions induced by PTZ with moderate sedative effects [59]. Piper guineense EOs prevented episodes of convulsion and offered 100% protection against the PTZ-induced convulsions, similar to diazepam [60]. ...
Limonene is a monoterpene confined to the family of Rutaceae, showing several biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antinociceptive and gastroprotective characteristics. Recently, there is notable interest in investigating the pharmacological effects of limonene in various chronic diseases due to its mitigating effect on oxidative stress and inflammation and regulating apoptotic cell death. There are several available studies demonstrating the neuroprotective role of limonene in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety, and stroke. The high abundance of limonene in nature, its safety profile, and various mechanisms of action make this monoterpene a favorable molecule to be developed as a nutraceutical for preventive purposes and as an alternative agent or adjuvant to modern therapeutic drugs in curbing the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of the available scientific literature discussing the pharmacological activities of limonene or plant products containing limonene which attribute to the protective and therapeutic ability in neurodegenerative disorders. This review has been compiled based on the existing published articles confined to limonene or limonene-containing natural products investigated for their neurotherapeutic or neuroprotective potential. All the articles available in English or the abstract in English were extracted from different databases that offer an access to diverse journals. These databases are PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Collectively, this review emphasizes the neuroprotective potential of limonene against neurodegenerative and other neuroinflammatory diseases. The available data are indicative of the nutritional use of products containing limonene and the pharmacological actions and mechanisms of limonene and may direct future preclinical and clinical studies for the development of limonene as an alternative or complementary phytomedicine. The pharmacophore can also provide a blueprint for further drug discovery using numerous drug discovery tools.
... The study demonstrated the antiepileptic potential, by attenuating convulsions with moderate sedative effects. The possible mechanism of action was linked to glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission (92). On the other hand, Da-Silva et al. (93) were unable to demonstrate the protective role of myrcene against PTZ-induced seizures. ...
Myrcene (β-myrcene) is an abundant monoterpene which occurs as a major constituent in many plant species, including hops and cannabis. It is a popular flavouring and aroma agent (food additive) used in the manufacture of food and beverages. This review aims to report on the occurrence, biological and toxicological profile of β-myrcene. The main reported biological properties of β-myrcene—anxiolytic, antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties—are discussed, with the mechanisms of activity. Here we also discuss recent data regarding the safety of β-myrcene. Overall, β-myrcene has shown promising health benefits in many animal studies. However, studies conducted in humans is lacking. In the future, there is potential for the formulation and production of non-alcoholic beers, functional foods and drinks, and cannabis extracts (low in THC) rich in β-myrcene.
... Currently, researchers are keen to unfold their potential biological and therapeutic effects along with their possible association in the modern medicine system (Abouhosseini Tabari et al., 2018). Various compounds from different EOs have been identified as active biomolecules to affect conditions like anxiety, depression, and epilepsy due to their action upon the CNS (Rakotosaona et al., 2017). Despite the potential use of EOs from piper species in neurological disorders, no previous scientific reports on the neuropharmacological effect of Piper nigrum EO. ...
In this study, the anxiolytic activity of Piper nigrum essential oil (PNEO) was evaluated in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the antidepressant-like effect was evaluated through tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Flumazenil, a competitive inhibitor of GABAA receptor in the benzodiazepine site and WAY-100635 maleate salt, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist were used to find out the possible mechanism(s) of action of PNEO. To exclude the false-positive results due to the enhancement of the locomotor activity, the animals were submitted to open field test (OFT). We also measured monoamines levels of the mice brain after acute PNEO treatment. The data obtained from the study suggest that the anxiolytics and antidepressant-like effect of PNEO have observed in EPM and TST respectively in a dose-dependent manner after oral acute and repetitive treatment. WAY-100635, but not flumazenil was able to reverse the effect of PNEO in EPM and TST both, indicating the possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptor. The neurochemical analysis showed no alteration in monoamine levels in mice brains. Furthermore, no locomotor impairment or sign of toxicity or changes in body weight or abnormalities in the biochemical parameters, except for a significant decrease in total cholesterol level was observed after treatment with PNEO. The findings suggest that Piper nigrum EO possesses a dual anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effect through the possible involvement of serotonergic transmission.
... The most abundant components C. madagascariensis leaves' essential oil (CMEO), are monoterpene hydrocarbons (40.0%), oxygenated monoterpenes (35.7%), linalool (30.1%), limonene (12.0%), myrcene (8.9%), and α-pinene 140 (8.4%) as [44]. In PTZ testing in rats, CMEO, at a dose of 0.8 mL/kg, protected against convulsions, and at a dose of 0.4 mL/kg increased latency and reduced both seizure frequency and severity [45]. These promising CMEO results occur in function of synergism between the constituents, since linalool, limonene, and myrcene already present anticonvulsive activities well described in the literature [46,47]. ...
Epilepsy is a most disabling neurological disorder affecting all age groups. Among the various mechanisms that may result in epilepsy, neuronal hyperexcitability and oxidative injury produced by an excessive formation of free radicals may play a role in the development of this pathology. Therefore, new treatment approaches are needed to address resistant conditions that do not respond fully to current antiepileptic drugs. This paper reviews studies on the anticonvulsant activities of essential oils and their chemical constituents. Data from studies published from January 2011 to December 2018 was selected from the PubMed database for examination. The bioactivity of 19 essential oils and 16 constituents is described. Apiaceae and Lamiaceae were the most promising botanical families due to the largest number of reports about plant species from these families that produce anticonvulsant essential oils. Among the evaluated compounds, β-caryophyllene, borneol, eugenol and nerolidol were the constituents that presented antioxidant properties related to anticonvulsant action. These data show the potential of these natural products as health promoting agents and use against various types of seizure disorders. Their properties on oxidative stress may contribute to the control of this neurological condition. However, further studies on the toxicological profile and mechanism of action of essential oils are needed.
Cannabis was used to treat convulsions and other disorders since ancient times. In the last few decades, preclinical animal studies and clinical investigations have established the role of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating epilepsy and seizures and support potential therapeutic benefits for cannabinoids in other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Here, we comprehensively review the role of cannabinoids in epilepsy. We briefly review the diverse physiological processes mediating the central nervous system response to cannabinoids, including D ⁹ -THC, cannabidiol, and terpenes. Next, we characterize the anti- and proconvulsive effects of cannabinoids from animal studies of acute seizures and chronic epileptogenesis. We then review the clinical literature on using cannabinoids to treat epilepsy, including anecdotal evidence and case studies as well as the more recent randomized-controlled clinical trials that led to FDA approval of CBD for some types of epilepsy. Overall, we seek to evaluate our current understanding of cannabinoids in epilepsy and focus future research on unanswered questions.
Most antibiotics are derived from natural products, like penicillin, as well as recent insecticides, like pyrethroids. Secondary metabolites are produced by plants as ecological chemical mediators, and can therefore possess intrinsic physiological properties against other organisms. These benefits are far from being fully explored. In particular, attention is here focused on the multipurpose neem tree (Azadirachta indica), reporting several experiments of applications in the field of seed oil and neem cake. The latter product seems to be promising because of the low cost, the possible production on a large scale, and the selection of effects in favor of beneficial organisms. Neem cake is able to act on different sites, as required by integrated pest management. Several utilizations of neem products are reported and their potentiality evidenced. Some considerations in this chapter may appear distant from the title of the book, but only by applying the general natural rules can the reason of the single phenomenon be understood. Other studies on resistance mechanisms of Plasmodium are enabling new possible methods of control always based on natural products activity.
Lavender essential oil is traditionally used and approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as herbal medicine to relieve stress and anxiety. Some animal and clinical studies reveal positive results in models of anxiety and depression although very little research has been done on molecular mechanisms. Our work consisted of evaluating the effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on central nervous system well-established targets, such as MAO-A, SERT, GABAAand NMDA receptors as well as in vitro models of neurotoxicity. The results showed that lavender essential oil and its main components exert affinity for the glutamate NMDA-receptor in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 0.04 μl/mL for lavender oil. In addition, lavender and linalool were also able to bind the serotonin transporter (SERT) whereas they did not show affinity for GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor. In three different models of neurotoxicity, lavender did not enhance the neurotoxic insult and improved viability of SH-SY5Y cells treated with hydrogen peroxide. According to our data, the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects attributed to lavender may be due to an antagonism on the NMDA-receptor and inhibition of SERT. This study suggests that lavender essential oil may exert pharmacological properties via modulating the NMDA receptor, the SERT as well as neurotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide.
Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of the essential oil of Myrothamnus moschatus (M. moschatus) in convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole and picrotoxin in rodent models.
Methods: The essential oil of the aerial parts of M. moschatus was extracted by steam distillation. Thereafter, it was injected subcutaneously to rats and mice at escalating doses (0.1–0.8 mL/kg). Ten minutes after drug injection, pentylenetetrazole was injected intraperitoneally to rats and picrotoxin was administered to mice by the same route. Diazepam served as the positive control. Every single animal was placed into transparent cage and observed for convulsive behavior for 30 min by using ordinary security cameras connected to a video recorder. Death occurring for a period of 24 h was also recorded.
Results: The essential oil at 0.8 mL/kg completely arrested the pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion without any sedative effect and delayed its appearance at lower doses, but showed moderate activities on picrotoxin-induced convulsion. For the rats treated with pentylenetetrazole alone, the mortality was 100% within 1 h, but for the rats pre-treated with the essential oil, the mortality was 0%. For the mice treated with picrotoxin, the mortality rate was also 100%, while 20%–100% died in those that had been pre-treated with the oil.
Conclusions: The results confirmed at least partly the traditional uses of the smoke of M. moschatus for the management of convulsion, and implied that the essential oil may inhibit the convulsion by GABAergic neuromodulation.
The fight against mosquito-borne diseases is a challenge of huge public health importance. To our mind, 2015 was an extraordinary year for malaria control, due to three hot news: the Nobel Prize to Youyou Tu for the discovery of artemisinin, the development of the first vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum malaria [i.e. RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S)], and the fall of malaria infection rates worldwide, with special reference to sub-Saharan Africa. However, there are major challenges that still deserve attention, in order to boost malaria prevention and control. Indeed, parasite strains resistant to artemisinin have been detected, and RTS,S vaccine does not offer protection against Plasmodium vivax malaria, which predominates in many countries outside of Africa. Furthermore, the recent outbreaks of Zika virus infections, occurring in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, represent the most recent of four arrivals of important arboviruses in the Western Hemisphere, over the last 20 years. Zika virus follows dengue (which slyly arrived in the hemisphere over decades and became more aggressive in the 1990s), West Nile virus (emerged in 1999) and chikungunya (emerged in 2013). Notably, there are no specific treatments for these arboviruses. The emerging scenario highlights that the effective and eco-friendly control of mosquito vectors, with special reference to highly invasive species such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, is crucial. The concrete potential of screening plant species as sources of metabolites for parasitological purposes is worthy of attention, as elucidated by the Y. Tu’s example. Notably, plant-borne molecules are often effective at few parts per million against Aedes, Ochlerotatus, Anopheles and Culex young instars, can be used for the rapid synthesis of mosquitocidal nanoformulations and even employed to prepare cheap repellents with low human toxicity. In addition, behaviour-based control tools relying to the employ of sound traps and the manipulation of swarming behaviour (i.e. “lure and kill” approach) are discussed. The importance of further research on the chemical cues routing mosquito swarming and mating dynamics is highlighted. Besides radiation, transgenic and symbiont-based mosquito control approaches, an effective option may be the employ of biological control agents of mosquito young instars, in the presence of ultra-low quantities of nanoformulated botanicals, which boost their predation rates.
The country of Madagascar is renowned for its high level of biodiversity and endemism, as well as the overwhelming pressures and threats placed on the natural resources by a growing population and climate change. Traditional medicine plays an important role in the daily lives of the Malagasy for various reasons including limited access to healthcare, limited markets and traditional values. The objective of this study was to assess the modern utitilization of the Agnalazaha Forest by the local population in Mahabo-Mananivo, Madagascar, for medicinal plants used by women, and to establish a list of medicinal plants used by women sourced from Agnalazaha Forest.
Ethnobotanical studies were conducted over a period of five months in 2010 to determine the diversity of medicinal plants used by women in the commune of Mahabo-Mananivo. In all, 498 people were interviewed, both male and female ranging age from 15 to over 60 years old.
152 medicinal plants used by local people were collected during the ethnobotanical studies. Among the recorded species, eight native species are widely used by women. These species are known for their therapeutic properties in treating placental apposition and complications during childbirth as well as tropical illnesses such as malaria, filariasis, and sexual diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis.
Littoral forests are rare ecosystems that are highly threatened on the island nation of Madagascar. Our investigation into the use of medicinal plants sourced from and around the Agnalazaha Forest by the women of Mahabo-Mananivo reinforces the need for this natural resource as a first line of health care for rural families.
This article is a summary of a workshop held by the ILAE concerning the issue of the epilepsy treatment gap in developing countries. The gap is defined in terms of those people with epilepsy who are not being appropriately treated and is the result of an array of medical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors. The situation regarding the treatment gap for various countries is reviewed, along with some of its causes. Although the overall gap is estimated to be large, a number of recent projects and interventions have been effective in delivering appropriate treatment to people with epilepsy in underresourced countries of the developing world. It is hoped that these may be transferable elsewhere and that, combined with the ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign against Epilepsy and increased support from the worldwide epilepsy community, the treatment gap will begin to be bridged.
We studied the effects of natural essential oil on neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 neuronal cells to elucidate the mechanism underlying the action of the oils used in aromatherapy. Neurite outgrowth can be induced by nerve growth factor (NGF), where ERK and p38 MAPK among MAPK pathways play important roles in activating intracellular signal transduction. In this study, we investigated whether d-limonene, the major component of essential oils from oranges, can promote neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells, in which neurite outgrowth can be induced by various physical stimulations. We also examined by which pathways, the ERK, p38 MAPK or JNK pathway, d-limonene acts on PC12m3 cells. Our results showed that neurite outgrowth can be induced when the cells are treated with d-limonene. After treatment with d-limonene, we observed that p38 MAPK is strongly activated in PC12m3 cells, while ERK is weakly activated. In contrast, JNK shows little activity. A study using an inhibitor of p38 MAPK revealed that neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells is induced via the activation of p38 MAPK by d-limonene. The results thus indicate that d-limonene may promote neural cell differentiation mainly via activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.
Epilepsy, term used for a group of disorders characterized by recurrent spontaneousseizures, is a fairly common primary neurological disorder. There are a large number ofanticonvulsant medications on the market for the treatment of epilepsy, but seizuresremain refractory in more than 20% of cases. Certain species of aromatic plants havebeen traditionally used in folk medicine for a long time due their central nervous system(CNS) properties, including the antiepileptic action. Essential oils and main componentsobtained from these herbs have attracted the attention of scientists to investigate chemicaland pharmacological aspects of these natural products. A survey of plants species andtheir essential oils with anticonvulsant activity on were carried out based on a literaturereview. As result, several species were selected due the activities presented by theiressential oils or isolated constituents during studies using experimental models forscreening anticonvulsant drugs. In this chapter, information about these species, theirfamilies and genera are present together with their bioactive isolated compounds.
Linalool, a monoterpene compound prevalent in essential oil of plant species traditionally used as sedatives, has been characterized as anticonvulsant in several experimental models. Linalool inhibits the binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]dizocilpine to brain cortical membranes, indicating a participation of the glutamatergic transmission its mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated the effects of linalool on [3H]glutamate release (basal and potassium-stimulated) and [3H]glutamate uptake in mice cortical synaptosomes. Linalool significantly reduced potassium-stimulated glutamate release as well as glutamate uptake, not interfering with basal glutamate release. The data indicates that linalool may interfere with several relevant elements of the glutamatergic transmission, including detriment of the K+-stimulated glutamate release.
Linalool and linalyl acetate are the principal components of many essential oils known to possess several biological activities, attributable to these monoterpene compounds. In this work, we evaluated individually the anti-inflammatory properties of (-) linalool, that is, the natural occurring enantiomer, and its racemate form, present in various amounts in distilled or extracted essential oils. Because in the linalool-containing essential oils, linalyl acetate, is frequently present, we also examined the anti-inflammatory action of this monoterpene ester. Carrageenin-induced edema in rats was used as a model of inflammation. The experimental data indicate that both the pure enantiomer and its racemate induced, after systemic administration, a reduction of edema. Moreover, the pure enantiomer, at a dose of 25 mg/kg, elicited a delayed and more prolonged effect, while the racemate form induced a significant reduction of the edema only one hour after carrageenin administration. At higher doses, no differences were observed between the (-) enantiomer and the racemate; a further increase in the dose of both forms did not result in an increased effect at any time of observation. The effects of equi-molar doses of linalyl acetate on local edema were less relevant and more delayed than that of the corresponding alcohol. These finding suggest a typical pro-drug behavior of linalyl acetate. The results obtained indicate that linalool and the corresponding acetate play a major role in the anti-inflammatory activity displayed by the essential oils containing them, and provide further evidence suggesting that linalool and linalyl acetate-producing species are potentially anti-inflammatory agents.
Madagascar flora is diverse and unique. Cinnamosma madagascariensis is an endemic species widely present in the forests of Madagascar. This plant has important traditional uses ranging from management of dementia, epilepsy, headache to malaria. Few data have been reported about the chemical composition of the essential oil, and no studies have been published on its bioactivity against mosquitoes. Here, we focus on the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from C. madagascariensis stem bark and leaves, and their larvicidal potential against the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. GC-MS analysis revealed differences between the chemical volatile profiles of leaves and bark oils. In the former, linalool (30.1%), limonene (12.0%), myrcene (8.9%) and α-pinene (8.4%) were the major constituents, while in the latter β-pinene (33.3%), α-pinene (19.3%) and limonene (12.0%) were the most representative compounds. Acute toxicity experiments conducted on larvae of the filariasis vector C. quinquefasciatus led to LC50 of 61.6 μL L− 1 and 80.1 μL L− 1 for the bark and the leaf essential oils, respectively. Overall, the chance to use compounds from the C. madagascariensis bark and leaf essential oils against filariasis vectors seems promising, since they are effective at moderate doses and could be an advantageous alternative to build newer and safer mosquito control tools. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the chemical composition of C. madagascariensis essential oils.
The main volatile components of essential oils are monoterpenes. It is known that olfactory receptors recognize monoterpenes as a fragrance, and that they can affect emotions. On the other hand, the components of essential oils may act directly on the central nervous system as well as the olfactory nerve. However, the transport of monoterpenes to the brain following inhalation, which is the main method of administration in aromatherapy, is unclear. In this study, we investigated major monoterpenes of essential oils, such as (+)-α-pinene, (+)-limonene, (-)-linalool, and 1,8-cineole. After the inhalation of each compound, the mice brains were dissected, and brain extracts prepared with n-hexane. The extracts were then subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed that α-pinene was transported to the brain maximally with 30 min inhalation, which may be due to its high volatility. Limonene and linalool showed maximal transport to the brain with 90 min inhalation. Brain concentrations of 1,8-cineole showed minimal level after 30 min inhalation. Moreover, 1,8-cineole was easily transported to the brain following intraperitoneal administration. These results could be applied as one of the indices for the effective use of essential oils in aromatherapy. Copyright
Cumulative scientific and technological advances over the past two centuries have transformed drug discovery from a largely serendipitous process into the high tech pipelines of today. For thousands of years, medicines were sourced directly from nature, through observing the phenotypic effects of substances on humans or animals. Following the molecular biology revolution and initiation of the human genome project in the 1990s, target-based screening gained popularity and soon came to dominate the pharmaceutical industry. Two decades later, the phenotypic approach began to make a strong comeback, benefiting from the scalability and speed afforded by massive technological advances. This has ignited a debate over the relative productivities of phenotypic and target-based screening. However, as more integrative technologies become available, the focus of the discussion should shift from prioritizing the different approaches to finding strategies that can combine their complementary strengths. This review chronicles major trends and transformative events in the evolution of drug discovery, and underscores the importance of phenotypic approaches for past, and likely future, successes.
In order to investigate the pharmacodynamic basis of the previously-established anticonvulsant properties of linalool, we examined the effects of this compound on behavioral and neurochemical aspects of glutamate expression in experimental seizure models. Specifically, linalool effects were investigated to determine its inhibition of (i) L-[H-3]glutamate binding at CNS (central nervous system membranes), (ii) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced convulsions, (iii) quinolinic acid (QUIN)-induced convulsions, and the behavioral and neurochemical correlates of PTZ-kindling. The data indicate that linalool modulates glutamate activation expression in vitro (competitive antagonism of L-[H-3]glutamate binding) and in vivo (delayed NMDA convulsions and blockage of QUIN convulsions). Linalool partially inhibited and significantly delayed the behavioral expression of PTZ-kindling, but did not modify the PTZ-kindling-induced increase in L-[H-3]glutamate binding.
Linalool is a monoterpene compound reported to be a major component of essential oils of several aromatic species. Several linalool-producing species are used in traditional medical systems, including A. suaveolens, used as anticonvulsant in the Brazilian Amazon. We evaluated the effects of linalool given systematically to mice on experimental models useful for detecting psychopharmacological activity. The results show that this compound has dose dependent marked effects at the Central Nervous System, including hypnotic, anticonvulsant and hypothermic. The effects of linalool revealed by this evaluation are useful to understand the traditional medical use of several plant species in different continents and point to the validity of exploring terpenes as sources of new anticonvulsant agents.
Abstract Acrylamide (ACR) is a water-soluble monomer which has broad application in different industries and also can form in food during heating process. This monomer is a potent neurotoxic and damages the central and the peripheral nervous system in human and animals. Oxidative stress has been mentioned as an important pathway in ACR neurotoxicity, therefore the purpose of the current study was evaluation of possible effects of linalool which is a naturally enantiomer monoterpene compound. Linalool has shown antioxidant properties in several studies. Male Wistar rats were treated with ACR (50 mg/kg ip) alone or with linalool (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg ip) for 11 days. In another 2 groups rats were treated with linalool (12.5 mg/kg ip) 3 days after and before ACR administration. Then behavior index (gait score) was examined for rats. After that, rats were sacrified and molondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) content were determined in brain tissue. Exposure to ACR led to severe gait abnormalities and treatment with linalool significantly reduced abnormalities. ACR reduced GSH content and increased level of MDA in cerebral cortex. Linalool increased GSH content while decreased ACR-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain tissue and the best protocols were initiation of supplementation before or simultaneous with ACR administration.
Epilepsy is a common disorder, particularly in poor areas of the world, and can have a devastating effect on people with the disorder and their families. The burden of epilepsy in low-income countries is more than twice that found in high-income countries, probably because the incidence of risk factors is higher. Many of these risk factors can be prevented with inexpensive interventions, but there are only a few studies that have assessed the effect of reducing risk factors on the burden of epilepsy. The mortality associated with epilepsy in low-income countries is substantially higher than in less impoverished countries and most deaths seem to be related to untreated epilepsy (eg, as a result of falls or status epilepticus), but the risk factors for death have not been adequately examined. Epilepsy is associated with substantial stigma in low-income countries, which acts as a barrier to patients accessing biomedical treatment and becoming integrated within society. Seizures can be controlled by inexpensive antiepileptic drugs, but the supply and quality of these drugs can be erratic in poor areas. The treatment gap for epilepsy is high (>60%) in deprived areas, but this could be reduced with low-cost interventions. The substantial burden of epilepsy in poor regions of the world can be reduced by preventing the risk factors, reducing stigma, improving access to biomedical diagnosis and treatment, and ensuring that there is a continuous supply of good quality antiepileptic drugs.
Treatment of epilepsy, one of the most common neurologic disorders, has evolved from “institutional” poly-therapy to “dogmatic” monotherapy, and, most recently, to “rational” polypharmacy. The introduction of bromides for the treatment of epilepsy was followed first by phenobarbital and then by phenytoin as therapeutic options. Although attempts to combine medications were legion, none was supported by studies that demonstrated the benefit of such combinations. The issue of adverse effects became a principal argument in favor of monotherapy. Monotherapy, using newly developed drugs, avoided problems due to drug interactions but was ineffective in 20–30% of patients. A greater understanding of basic disease mechanisms and developments in molecular biology have led to an increased number of effective drugs for the estimated 6–12% of patients with epilepsy whose condition is intractable. Clinical research continues to build on the work of basic scientists in attempting to develop treatments based on a desire to move beyond the palliative and to affect the causative mechanisms of the disease. Novel medical approaches now under exploration include the use of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action, stimulation of various components of the nervous system, biochemical manipulations, focal intracerebral drug perfusion, and gene therapy.
This paper makes a first inventory of plants used by the medicine-men of the South-East of Madagascar (Tanala and Antemoro regions). The heirs — directly or indirectly — to an esoteric “moslem” knowledge which has been transmitted since the XVth century by the aristocratic islamized groups, the medicine-men are also the possessors of a knowledge which has been acquired by the autochtonous groups, that are said “masters of the earth” (commoners). Some divergences in the respective practices of the Tanala and Antemoro medicine-men seem to be connected with differences in the social structure and in the links between society and the environment.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils (EOs) for several medical purposes, including relaxation. The association between the use of aromas and a decrease in anxiety could be a valuable instrument in managing anxiety in an ever increasing anxiogenic daily life style. Linalool is a monoterpene commonly found as the major volatile component of EOs in several aromatic plant species. Adding to previously reported sedative effects of inhaled linalool, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness and social interaction in mice. Additionally, we investigated the effects of inhaled linalool on the acquisition phase of a step-down memory task in mice. Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test, increased social interaction and decreased aggressive behavior; impaired memory was only seen the higher dose of linalool. These results strengthen the suggestion that inhaling linalool rich essential oils can be useful as a mean to attain relaxation and counteract anxiety.
The present study was designed to gain insight into the effects of s-limonene on the brain after 1-wk administration. For this purpose, neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu) and some of their metabolites (DOPAC and 5-HIAA) were determined by HPLC-ECD and amino acid analyzer after 1-wk administration of s-limonene of different concentrations (0, 5, 25, 50 mg/kg). Significant changes, such as GABA, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-HT, were confirmed. At the same time, basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity after 1-wk administration of s-limonene was evaluated by corticosterone. Considering the increment of GABA and the changes of other neurotransmitters, anti-stress effects after 1-wk administration were observed. The experimental results showed that s-limonene could inhibit HPA activity under physical stress and this anti-stress effect of s-limonene may act through the GABA(A) receptor.
Medical management and drug development for epilepsy emphasizes increasing pharmacological specificity to improve efficacy while minimizing side effects. However, growing evidence supports potential benefits of "magic shotgun" over "magic bullet" approaches to treatment of complex disease processes. We discuss experimental and theoretical evidence suggesting that seizures may be more amenable to a multi-target rather than a high-specificity approach, including evidence that individual anticonvulsants directly modulate a variety ion channel targets, the most direct determinants of neuronal excitability. Although the relevance of this promiscuity remains untested, it may contribute to anticonvulsant efficacy and should therefore be considered in drug development strategies and in therapeutic decision making.
Linalool is a monoterpene often found as a major component of essential oils obtained from aromatic plant species, many of which are used in traditional medical systems as hypno-sedatives. Psychopharmacological evaluations of linalool (i.p. and i.c.v.) revealed marked sedative and anticonvulsant central effects in various mouse models. Considering this profile and alleged effects of inhaled lavender essential oil, the purpose of this study was to examine the sedative effects of inhaled linalool in mice. Mice were placed in an inhalation chamber during 60 min, in an atmosphere saturated with 1% or 3% linalool. Immediately after inhalation, animals were evaluated regarding locomotion, barbiturate-induced sleeping time, body temperature and motor coordination (rota-rod test). The 1% and 3% linalool increased (p<0.01) pentobarbital sleeping time and reduced (p<0.01) body temperature. The 3% linalool decreased (p<0.01) locomotion. Motor coordination was not affected. Hence, linalool inhaled for 1h seems to induce sedation without significant impairment in motor abilities, a side effect shared by most psycholeptic drugs.
In order to investigate the pharmacodynamic basis of the previously-established anticonvulsant properties of linalool, we examined the effects of this compound on behavioral and neurochemical aspects of glutamate expression in experimental seizure models. Specifically, linalool effects were investigated to determine its inhibition of (i) L-[3H]glutamate binding at CNS (central nervous system membranes), (ii) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced convulsions, (iii) quinolinic acid (QUIN)-induced convulsions, and the behavioral and neurochemical correlates of PTZ-kindling. The data indicate that linalool modulates glutamate activation expression in vitro (competitive antagonism of L-[3H]glutamate binding) and in vivo (delayed NMDA convulsions and blockage of QUIN convulsions). Linalool partially inhibited and significantly delayed the behavioral expression of PTZ-kindling, but did not modify the PTZ-kindling-induced increase in L-[3H]glutamate binding.
In the present work we studied the anticonvulsive effects of the essential oils (EOs) from three chemotypes of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Brown (Verbenaceae). Animals (female Swiss mice, 25 g) were treated with the EO and, 30 or 60 min after intraperitoneal (i.p.) or oral (p.o.) administration, respectively, injected with pentylenetetrazole (80 mg/kg, i.p.) and observed for 30 min. The results showed that EO I (200 and 400 mg/kg), EO II (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), and EO III (400 mg/kg), i.p., produced an increased latency time for the first convulsion as related to controls. Death latency was greater in the groups receiving EO I (50 and 100 mg/kg), EO II (100 and 200 mg/kg), and EO III (200 mg/kg), i.p. Orally, while no effect was demonstrated with EOs at doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg, significant increases in the latency of convulsion and latency of death were observed with EO I at the highest dose (800 mg/kg). Similarly, EO III at this dose was also effective as far as latency of convulsion is concerned. Animals treated with citral (100 mg/kg, i.p.), beta-myrcene or limonene (200 mg/kg, i.p.), EOs chemical constituents, presented significant increases in the latency of convulsion and percentage of survival as compared to controls. After oral administration these effects were observed only with a higher dose (400 mg/kg). The association of EOs with diazepam significantly potentiated their effects, suggesting a similar mechanism of action and indicating that citral, beta-myrcene, and limonene are probably the EOs active compounds.
This article is a summary of a workshop held by the ILAE concerning the issue of the epilepsy treatment gap in developing countries. The gap is defined in terms of those people with epilepsy who are not being appropriately treated and is the result of an array of medical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors. The situation regarding the treatment gap for various countries is reviewed, along with some of its causes. Although the overall gap is estimated to be large, a number of recent projects and interventions have been effective in delivering appropriate treatment to people with epilepsy in underresourced countries of the developing world. It is hoped that these may be transferable elsewhere and that, combined with the ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign against Epilepsy and increased support from the worldwide epilepsy community, the treatment gap will begin to be bridged.
Observations sur la sorcellerie “Ambalavelona” dans la region d'Antsihanaka
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Inhaled linalool-induced sedation in mice
- V De Moura Linck
- A L Silva
- M Figueir O
- Â Luis Piato
- A P Herrmann
- F Dupont
- E Birck
- D Caramão
- P R H Nunes
- E Moreno
- Elisabetsky
V. de Moura Linck, A. L. da Silva, M. Figueir o,Â. Luis Piato,
A. P. Herrmann, F. Dupont Birck, E. Bastos Caramão, D.
S avio Nunes, P. R. H. Moreno, E. Elisabetsky, 'Inhaled linalool-induced sedation in mice', Phytomedicine 2009, 16,
303 -307.