Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice

Linck, V.M.; da Silva, A.L.; Figueiró, M.; Caramão, E.B.; Moreno, P.R.H.; Elisabetsky, E.

doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.002

« Previous Next »Phytomedicine
Volume 17, Issue 8 , Pages 679-683, July 2010

Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice

V.M. Linck
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- PPG Ciências Biológicas-Bioquímica Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
A.L. da Silva
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, IB, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
M. Figueiró
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- PPG Neurociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
E.B. Caramão
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
P.R.H. Moreno
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
E. Elisabetsky
- Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- PPG Neurociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- PPG Ciências Biológicas-Bioquímica Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Corresponding author at: Laboratório de Etnofarmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Tel.: +555133083569; fax: +555133083121.

published online 04 December 2009.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Linalool, Aromatherapy, Anxiety, Social interaction, Aggressiveness