Neuroscience 2000 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 244.8 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Aromatherapy and pain: impact of exposure to lemongrass, linalool and linalyl acetate on pain responsivity in the rat. |
| Authors: |
Wiertelak, E. P.*1
; Woronczuk, J.1
; Hicks, K.1
; Koski, D.1
1Dept Psychol, Macalester Col, St. Paul, MN |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
F. Sensory Systems - 75. Pain modulation: pharmacology |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | F. Sensory Systems<br />- 84. Chemical senses |
| Session: |
244. Pain modulation: anatomy and physiology--descending control Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 6, 2000 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall G-J |
| Keywords: | analgesia, hyperalgesia, tailflick, formalin test |
Previous work in this lab examining the effects of lavender inhalation and pain perception in the rat found that lavandula angustifolia produced significant hyperalgesia in the formalin test but not in the tailflick test (SFN abstract, 1998). The present studies continue this line of investigation. Two of the main components of lavender oil, linalool and linalyl acetate, were administered (inhalation) to rats to examine the impact of these chemicals on pain responsivity. Initial results suggest that in comparison to subjects exposed to apricot oil (carrier oil) in the formalin test, for subjects given long term exposure (i.e., where the chemical is present for a one-hour pretest period during which the subject is acclimated to the testing apparatus, and remains present throughout the testing session), linalool or linalyl acetate may have an analgesic effect, whereas short term (where the chemical is only present for the testing session time period post-formalin injection) exposure may have a hyperalgesic effect. Further studies employing other pain assays to investigate this effect are underway at this time. In a second series of experiments, the effect of exposure to both oral administration and inhalation of lemongrass extracts was examined. Initial results here suggest that in the tailflick test, oral administration, but not inhalation of lemongrass, produces an analgesic response in rats. Further studies underway explore the effects of inhaled and orally administered lemongrass in other pain assays.
Supported by Supported in part by NIH Grant DA09289-05 to EPW.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2000 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2000. Online.
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