Analgesic effects of eucalyptus essential oil in mice

Ganggeun Lee, Junbum Park, Min Sun Kim, Geun Hee Seol, Sun Seek Min

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    17 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: The use of aroma oils dates back to at least 3000 B.C., where it was applied to mummify corpses and treat the wounds of soldiers. Since the 1920s, the term “aromatherapy” has been used for fragrance therapy with essential oils. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the essential oil of Eucalyptus (EOE) affects pain pathways in various pain conditions and motor coordination. Methods: Mice were subjected to inhalation or intraperitoneal injection of EOE, and its analgesic effects were assessed by conducting formalin, thermal plantar, and acetic acid tests; the effects of EOE on motor coordination were evaluated using a rotarod test. To determine the analgesic mechanism, 5’-guanidinonaltrindole (κ-opioid antagonist, 0.3 mg/kg), naltrindole (δ-opioid antagonist, 5 mg/kg), glibenclamide (δ-opioid antagonist, 2 mg/kg), and naloxone (μ-opioid antagonist, 4, 8, 12 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. Results: EOE showed an analgesic effect against visceral pain caused by acetic acid (EOE, 45 mg/kg); however, no analgesic effect was observed against thermal nociceptive pain. Moreover, it was demonstrated that EOE did not have an effect on motor coordination. In addition, an anti-inflammatory effect was observed during the formalin test. Conclusions: EOE, which is associated with the μ-opioid pain pathway, showed potential effects against somatic, inflammatory, and visceral pain and could be a potential therapeutic agent for pain.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)79-86
    Number of pages8
    JournalKorean Journal of Pain
    Volume32
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundtion (NRF) & funded by the Korean government (MSIP & MOHW; No. 2016M3A9B6904244) and NRF (2015R1D1A1 A01061326).

    Publisher Copyright:
    © The Korean Pain Society, 2019.

    Keywords

    • Acetic acid
    • Analgesics
    • Aromatherapy
    • Eucalyptus
    • Formaldehyde
    • Glyburide
    • Intraperitoneal injections
    • Mice
    • Naloxone
    • Naltrindole
    • Opioid antagonists
    • Rotarod performance test

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Analgesic effects of eucalyptus essential oil in mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this