Effects of various fragrant ingredients on desmopressin-induced fluid retention in mice

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2010 Jul;130(7):983-7. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.130.983.

Abstract

Although fragrances are often used in aromatherapy for the treatment of edema, few studies on their diuretic and/or antiedematous activities have been performed. In this study, the effects of four types of fragrant ingredients (d-limonene, piperitone, alpha-pinene, and cinnamaldehyde) were examined in a mouse model of fluid retention. The mice were loaded with water after treatment with desmopressin (an antidiuretic hormone). In addition, zingerone, a pungent component of ginger which is considered to be effective in the treatment of edema, was examined. Moreover, their effects were compared with those of furosemide, a representative diuretic. Among the five types of fragrant ingredients examined, all except for cinnamaldehyde increased the urine volume in the fluid retention mouse model when administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg. In particular, d-limonene and zingerone significantly increased the urine volume. Thus the effects of these two ingredients were further examined at lower doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg. d-Limonene significantly increased the urine volume in a dose-dependent manner. Zingerone resulted in a significant increase in the urine volume only at a dose of 30 mg/kg. In normal mice, d-limonene did not affect the urine volume at the same doses. In contrast, zingerone significantly increased the urine volume in normal mice at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Furosemide significantly increased the urine volume in both the fluid-retentive and normal mice. These results indicate that both d-limonene and zingerone exhibit diuretic actions; however, the former fragrance only exerted an action in the fluid-retentive state. This different action suggests that d-limonene might be promising for the treatment of edema.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aromatherapy
  • Cyclohexenes / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclohexenes / pharmacology
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Diuretics / administration & dosage
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Edema / chemically induced*
  • Edema / drug therapy*
  • Furosemide / administration & dosage
  • Guaiacol / administration & dosage
  • Guaiacol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Guaiacol / pharmacology
  • Limonene
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Terpenes / administration & dosage*
  • Terpenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cyclohexenes
  • Diuretics
  • Terpenes
  • zingerone
  • Guaiacol
  • Furosemide
  • Limonene
  • Deamino Arginine Vasopressin