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Anxiolytic‐Like Effect of Illicium verum Fruit Oil, trans ‐Anethole and Related Compounds in Mice
Author(s) -
Miyagawa Michiyo,
Satou Tadaaki,
Yukimune Chihiro,
Ishibashi Ayumi,
Seimiya Haruna,
Yamada Hideo,
Hasegawa Toshio,
Koike Kazuo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.5190
Subject(s) - anethole , traditional medicine , essential oil , chemistry , anxiolytic , biology , medicine , food science , biochemistry , receptor
The fruit of Illicium verum Hook. f. (star anise) is used by many as a spice. The fragrance of I. verum fruit is characteristically anise‐like. In this study, hexane‐extracted I. verum fruit oil (IVO), trans ‐anethole as the main component, and related compounds (propiophenone, 4′‐methoxy‐propiophenone, trans ‐β‐methylstyrene) were analyzed in order to clarify the emotional effect of inhaling the fragrance of I. verum fruit. As a result, although 4 μL/L air IVO did not exhibit an anxiolytic‐like effect, 1 μL/L air trans ‐anethole exhibited a significant effect ( p < 0.05). Moreover, the anxiolytic‐like effect of 1 μL/L air trans ‐anethole was significantly greater than 1 μL/L air propiophenone and 1 μL/L air 4′‐methoxy‐propiophenone ( p < 0.05). Thus, the anxiolytic‐like effect of trans ‐anethole was confirmed, and it is proposed that the methoxyl group and 1‐propenyl group in the para position of the benzene ring are necessary for the effect. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.