Effect of inhaled administration of essential oil on Alzheimer's disease

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K01871
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied health science
• Research Institution: International University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Satou Tadaaki 国際医療福祉大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (80287549)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: アロマセラピー / 植物精油 / アルツハイマー / 認知症 / 吸入投与 / 脳内移行性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of inhalation of essential oil, a part of aromatherapy, on Alzheimer's disease.
Scopolamine-induced Alzheimer-type dementia model mice were prepared, and the effects of essential oils on inhaled administration were examined. Rosemary essential oil (4 μL / L air) and others showed an improvement in cognitive function. Furthermore, when the effect of the mixed essential oil was examined, a significant cognitive function improving effect was recognized in the mixed essential oil of lavender essential oil and rosemary essential oil (5, 5 μL / L air). Since essential oil components were detected in the brain, it is considered that these effects are due to the transfer of essential oil components into the brain.

Free Research Field

応用健康科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

アロマセラピーにおける植物精油の吸入投与が、認知機能改善効果を示すことを動物実験により明らかにしたことは、アロマセラピーの効果の科学的解明に向けた大きな前進である。さらに、有効な治療方法が確立されていないアルツハイマー型認知症に対して、非常に手軽な植物精油の吸入投与が効果を示したことは意義のあるものと考える。
今回の結果は動物実験の結果であるので、ヒトに直接応用することはできない。しかし、動物実験のためプラセボ効果は存在しないことから、今後対応する臨床研究の結果と合わせて評価することで、アロマセラピーについての信頼性の高いデータとなると考える。