Małgorzata Kucharska1, Jadwiga A Szymańska2, Wiktor Wesołowski3, Barbara Frydrych4, Elżbieta Bruchajzer5. 1. Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi / Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Zakład Toksykologii, Międzywydziałowa Katedra Farmakologii Ogólnej, Klinicznej i Toksykologii / Department of Toxicology, Interdepartmental Chair of General and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology). malgorzata.kucharska@umed.lodz.pl. 2. Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi / Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Profesor emerytowany Zakładu Toksykologii / Retired professor of Toxicology Department). jadwiga.szymanska@umed.lodz.pl. 3. Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera / Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Zakład Monitoringu Biologicznego i Środowiska / Department of Biological and Environmental Monitoring). wiktor.wesolowski@imp.lodz.pl. 4. Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi / Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Zakład Toksykologii, Międzywydziałowa Katedra Farmakologii Ogólnej, Klinicznej i Toksykologii / Department of Toxicology, Interdepartmental Chair of General and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology). barbara.frydrych@umed.lodz.pl. 5. Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi / Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Zakład Toksykologii, Międzywydziałowa Katedra Farmakologii Ogólnej, Klinicznej i Toksykologii / Department of Toxicology, Interdepartmental Chair of General and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology). elzbieta.bruchajzer@umed.lodz.pl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stress is a result of disturbed homeostasis and can contribute to the development of many diseases. One of the methods of combating stress is aromatherapy, which uses essential oils with a calming and relaxing effect. The aim of the work was to perform a qualitative analysis of selected essential oils with a relaxing effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research concerned 6 preparations available on the Polish market, which are attributed with anti-stress activity. The qualitative analysis was carried out by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, which allows the determination of both main and trace substances in the tested oils. The components of individual samples were compared with data from the literature. RESULTS: In the samples tested 9-36 substances were identified. The following substances had the largest share in the composition of the studied samples: limonene (0.5-91%), linalool acetate (16.8-39.2%), citronellal (0.1-28.7%), linalool (0.8-46.5%), valerianol (17.6%), geraniol (16.4%), and citronellol (14%). CONCLUSIONS: According to literature data, the main components of the studied essential oils have low acute toxicity. They can be safely used as intended and in the quantities recommended by the manufacturer. However, one should remember the potential synergistic effect (as a result of exposure to the abovementioned substances from various sources, such as: food, cosmetics, cleaning agents, etc.), as well as sensitizing effects of some compounds contained in oils. Despite the different chemical structure of active substances contained in the tested oils, it is suggested that the mechanism of the relaxing effect is identical and is associated with the inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission, similar to the action of benzodiazepines. Med Pr. 2019;70(2):229-47. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.
BACKGROUND:Stress is a result of disturbed homeostasis and can contribute to the development of many diseases. One of the methods of combating stress is aromatherapy, which uses essential oils with a calming and relaxing effect. The aim of the work was to perform a qualitative analysis of selected essential oils with a relaxing effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research concerned 6 preparations available on the Polish market, which are attributed with anti-stress activity. The qualitative analysis was carried out by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, which allows the determination of both main and trace substances in the tested oils. The components of individual samples were compared with data from the literature. RESULTS: In the samples tested 9-36 substances were identified. The following substances had the largest share in the composition of the studied samples: limonene (0.5-91%), linalool acetate (16.8-39.2%), citronellal (0.1-28.7%), linalool (0.8-46.5%), valerianol (17.6%), geraniol (16.4%), and citronellol (14%). CONCLUSIONS: According to literature data, the main components of the studied essential oils have low acute toxicity. They can be safely used as intended and in the quantities recommended by the manufacturer. However, one should remember the potential synergistic effect (as a result of exposure to the abovementioned substances from various sources, such as: food, cosmetics, cleaning agents, etc.), as well as sensitizing effects of some compounds contained in oils. Despite the different chemical structure of active substances contained in the tested oils, it is suggested that the mechanism of the relaxing effect is identical and is associated with the inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission, similar to the action of benzodiazepines. Med Pr. 2019;70(2):229-47. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.