Toyoshi Umezu
Environmental Health Science Division, National Institute for Environmental
Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0053, Japan
Abstract: The present study was conducted to further explore
plant-derived essential oils that possess an anticonflict effect using the
Geller type conflict test in ICR mice. The benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam
increased the response (lever pressing) rate during the alarm period (i.e.,
an anticonflict effect), but the 5-HT1A partial agonist buspirone
did not. Oils of juniper, cypress, geranium and jasmine did not produce
any effect in this test. Frankincense oil decreased the response rate during
the safe period at 1600ﾊmg/kg, but did not exhibit any effect on the response
rate during the alarm period. In contrast, lavender oil increased the response
rate during the alarm period in a dose-dependent manner in the same manner
as diazepam. These results indicate that not only rose oil but also lavender
oil possess an anticonflict effect in mice.
Keywords: Geller type conflict test, Anxiety, Plant-derived essential
oil