Elucidation of the anti-obesity effect of the combination of scent and exercise -Aiming for a new exercise therapy-

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20195
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: 湘南医療大学 (2021-2022); Hoshi University (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: KIMURA AI 湘南医療大学, 臨床医学研究所, 研究員 (40769840)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 統合医療 / アロマセラピー / 摂食障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

With the aim of establishing an aroma therapy using essential oil aromas that affect eating regulation and stress, we first morphologically investigated the response sites in the brain and the dynamics of neuronal activity involved in food intake regulation by exposure to essential oil scents in rats. As a result of exposing rats to the scent of essential oils and observing neural responses in the hypothalamus, a high response was observed to ginger and peppermint essential oils. In addition, double immunostaining of c-Fos and MCH in ginger essential oil scent exposure revealed co-expression in LH. Therefore, it was suggested that the aroma of ginger essential oil may have an effect of promoting food intake.

Free Research Field

健康科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、ジンジャー精油の香りは摂食促進作用がある可能性が示唆された。今後、様々な精油の香り刺激による脳内の摂食調節機構を解明することにより、摂食障害疾患の代替医療の一つとして、芳香療法が活用できると考えられる。