In vivo neurobiological activity of inhaled juniper essential oil

Although Juniperus communis L. is known as a traditional remedy, common juniper is used especially as food spice for food & beverage industry. In aromatherapy, juniper essential oil is recommended for anxiety, nervous tension, mental exhaustion and stress-related problems. In our study, we assessed the biological properties of inhaled Juniperi aetheroleum (200 µL, either 1% or 3%, 60 minutes/day for 21 continuous days) on oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus of amyloid beta (1 – 42) (400 pmol/rat) – induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and acetylcholinesterase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the animals were behaviorally tested for assessment of memory, anxiety and depression responses. The results suggest positive effects on spatial memory formation. Moreover, the inhalation of juniper oil significantly increased antioxidant enzymes specific activity, while reducing glutathione peroxidase and acetylcholinesterase potential in a dose-dependent manner. The co-existence of anxiolytic, antidepressant-like effects plus antioxidant properties suggest that juniper oil is a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic agents to manage oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Acknowledgement: This work received financial support through the "Program of Excellence in doctoral and postdoctoral research in multidisciplinary chronic diseases", contract no. POSDRU/159/1.5/S/133377, beneficiary "Gr. T. Popa "Iasi, financed from the European Social Fund through Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007 – 2013.