[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Title: Effects of jasmine, lavender, and ylang-ylang essential oils on spatial learning in mice
Authors: *N. PRACHANTASENA 1 , T. PIRIYAPUNYAPORN 2 , N. WANNASILP 1 , K.
WATTANASIRMKIT 3 , N. KOTCHABHAKDI 1 ;
1 Neuro Behav Biol. Ctr., Mahidol Univ., Nakorn Pathom, Thailand; 2 Fac. of Sci., Mahidol Univ.,
Bangkok, Thailand; 3 Dept. of Biol. Fac. of Sci. Chulalongkorn Univ., Bangkok, Thailand
Abstract: Essential oils, secondary metabolic product of some plants, have been widely used for
various medicinal purposes, including relaxation and memory enhancement. A number of studies
have been shown that they have various effects on the nervous system, such as lavender
fragrance is used to improve sleep patterns, and reduce aggression. Other kinds of essential oil
frequently used in aromatherapy are jasmine oil. It was found to promote the EEG beta waves
that may show the stimulating effect of this fragrance. Moreover, ylang-ylang oil is also used as
antidepressant and is shown to increase attention. However, the importance of essential oils for
learning and memory is still less documented. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects
of jasmine, lavender, and ylang-ylang essential oils on spatial learning in mice. ICR Mice were
randomly divided into three essential oil treated groups and one control group, eight mice each.
Housing and testing were carried out at different places to avoid the odorant contamination on
control group. 15 µl of pure essential oil were sprayed to the cotton ball, which was refreshed
every 2 days, and put in to the cotton ball attached to the cage-covered. ICR mice were exposed
to essential oils for 20 days, and then their spatial learning capability in the Morris water maze
was analyzed by using video tracking system Ethovision (Noldus Information Technology,
Netherlands). Following the behavioral study, animals were perfused and their brains were
collected. Brain serial sections were reconstructed, and analyzed by SGI O2 running software
Micro3D (version 2004; NeSys, Oslo, Norway). In the behavioral study, jasmine oil-treated mice
took significantly shorter path length and time to find hidden platform in the water maze as
compared to control group. Lavender and ylang-ylang treated mice also used slightly shorter
time to find platform compared to controlled mice. Jasmine treated group has significantly larger
hippocampal volume than the control group. In contrast, lavender treated group showed
significantly decreased as compared to non-treated group. In addition, volumes of left and right
hippocampus were not significantly different in all conditions. This study suggests that jasmine
and perhaps ylang-ylang oil might enhance spatial learning in mice.
Disclosures: N. Prachantasena, None; T. Piriyapunyaporn, None; N. Wannasilp, None; N.
Kotchabhakdi, None; K. Wattanasirmkit, None.
Poster
291. Animal Cognition and Behavior: Learning and Memory: Pharmacology II
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 291.21/SS4