Evaluating the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of Hypericum scabrum essential oil

In a study published in the Journal of Essential Oil Research, a team from Firat University in Turkey looked at the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of Hypericum scabrum, a plant native to Central Asia.

• In traditional medicine, Hypericum species have been used to treat depression and other illnesses.
• The researchers investigated the effects of H. scabrum on anxiety and depressive-like behavior in vivo.
• Rats with dementia were treated with H. scabrum essential oil (inhalation) for 21 days.
• They were then treated with scopolamine and subjected to behavioral tests, such as the elevated plus maze and forced swimming test.
• The results revealed that H. scabrum essential oil increased the number of open arm entries and crossings within the elevated plus maze, which demonstrated its anxiolytic effect.
• In addition, the rats treated with H. scabrum demonstrated increased swimming time and reduced immobility time during the forced swimming test, which showed its antidepressant effect.

In sum, H. scabrum essential oil has anxiolytic and anti-depressant activities that could be useful for treating dementia-related anxiety and depression.

Learn more about natural treatments for anxiety and depression at BeatDepression.news.

Journal Reference:

Sur TM, Akabai E, Hassan SA, Bagci E. NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE OF HYPERICUM SCABRUM L. ESSENTIAL OIL IN RATS. Journal of Essential Oil Research. 2019 August 22;32(1):79-87. DOI: 10.1080/10412905.2019.1655491