Anxiolytic-like Effect Characterization of Essential Oil from Local Lavender Cultivation

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders have a 7.3% worldwide prevalence and, consideringthe long period of treatment, developing new efficient and safer pharmacologicaltools is critical. Essential oils consist of highly concentrated lipophilic compounds fromplants with therapeutic potential effects, such as Lavandula burnatii, produced in Córdoba,Argentine, with high levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients in its essential oil (linalylacetate and linalool). The evidence indicates that lavender essential oil could induce anxiolyticeffects; however, more systematic studies are needed. Methods: To test the anxiolyticattributes of Lavandula burnatii, male Wistar rats (200–260 g) were injected intraperitoneallywith two different doses of essential oil (30/80 mg/kg) or vehicle (Myritol 318, a highpurityvegetable oil), once (acute) or for 7 days. One hour after the last administration, theanxiolytic effects were evaluated using the following behavioral tests: the dark–light testand the elevated plus maze test. The open-field test was used to assess locomotor activity.Results: Our results showed that the lower dose of lavender essential oil induces anxiolyticeffects since it increases the time spent in the aversive compartment in each evaluation.The acute administration has no impact on the behaviors evaluated. The higher dose iscomparable with the control group and does not show significant differences. Conclusions:More studies are needed to better characterize the beneficial effects of this essential oil foranxiety disorders and to establish an adequate dosage range.