Effects of Lavender and Linalool on Neurotransmission and Contraction of Smooth Muscle

ABSTRACT

Introduction:Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is commonly used in household products, perfumes, aromatherapy and complementary medicines. This study assesses the effects of lavender and its component linalool on neurotransmission and contraction of smooth muscle. Methods:The concentration-dependent effects of lavender (0.001% to 0.05%) and linalool (0.001% to 0.05%) on electrically evoked nerve terminal impulse (NTI) and excitatory junction current (EJC) amplitudes were assessed, while the effects of lavender (0.03%) and linalool (0.03%) on 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine, histamine, noradrenaline and oxytocin evoked responses were examined. Reversibility of lavender (0.03%) and linalool (0.03%) effects on electrically evoked NTI and EJC amplitudes, as well as on acetylcholine evoked contractile responses, were also analysed. Results:Lavender and linalool caused concentration-dependent decreases of electrically evoked NTI and EJC amplitudes, and attenuated the contractile responses towards 5-hydroxytryptamine, acetylcholine, histamine, noradrenaline and oxytocin. Repeated washing of tissues treated with lavender following pre-treatment with acetylcholine reversed the inhibitory effects of lavender, whereas linalool’s effects were not readily reversible.Conclusion:Lavender and linalool may cause inhibition of smooth muscle presynaptic action potential propagation and postsynaptic G-protein coupled receptor evoked responses.

KEYWORDS

• Excitatory junction current
• G-protein coupled receptor
• Lavandula angustifolia
• Linalool
• Nerve terminal impulse
• Smooth muscle contraction
• Synapses

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

Cite this article

• DOI10.5530/pc.2015.3.7Copy

RELATED ARTICLES

Matched on volume, issue, section and article type within Pharmacogn. Commn..

• Article · VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3In vitro Assessments of Cytotoxic and Cytostatic Effects of Asparagus aphyllus, Crataegus aronia, and Ephedra alata in Monocultures and Co-Cultures of Hepg2 and THP-1-Derived MacrophagesAbdalsalam Kmail, Badiaa Lyoussi, Hilal Zaid, Bashar Saad · pp. 165–172Original ArticleSame type: ArticleSame issue
• Article · VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3Growth inhibition of the zoonotic bacteria Bacillus anthracis by high antioxidant Australian plants: New leads for the prevention and treatment of anthraxI.E. Cock, Mitchell Henry Wright, Ben Matthews, Anthony Carlson Greene · pp. 173–189Original ArticleSame type: ArticleSame issue
• Article · VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3Major Bioactive Compounds of Pilis Plant Materials: A GC-MS AnalysisKris Herawan Timotius, Ita Novita Sari, Adit Widodo Santoso · pp. 190–196Original ArticleSame type: ArticleSame issue
• Article · VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3Arsenic Concentration in Wild Plants Growing on Two Mine TailingsMa del Carmen Angeles, González- Chávez, Ariadna Scheherazada, Sánchez- López, Rogelio Carrillo-González · pp. 197–206Original ArticleSame type: ArticleSame issue