Inhalation of the essential oil of Piper guineense from Cameroon shows sedative and anxiolytic-like effects in mice.

The aromatherapeutical potential of Piper guineense essential oil was investigated in mice via inhalation administration, and the active compounds were identified. An open field test and light/dark transition test were used to evaluate the sedative and anxiolytic activities of this essential oil, respectively. P. guineense essential oil showed significant sedative activity at an effective dose of 4.0 × 10(-5) mg per cage compared to the control group. It also showed potent anxiolytic effect at a dose of 4.0 × 10(-6) mg per cage. The main compounds of P. guineense essential oil were linalool (41.8%) and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (10.9%). These two main compounds were shown to play a major role in the sedative activity of P. guineense essential oil. These results suggest that inhalation of P. guineense essential oil might induce a mild tranquilizing effect.