Role of 5-HT1A Receptor in the Anxiolytic-Relaxant Effects of Bergamot Essential Oil in Rodent

Laura Rombolà; Damiana Scuteri; Chizuko Watanabe; Shinobu Sakurada; Kengo Hamamura; Tsukasa Sakurada; Paolo Tonin; Maria Tiziana Corasaniti; Giacinto Bagetta; Luigi Antonio Morrone

doi:10.3390/ijms21072597

International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Apr 2020)

Role of 5-HT1A Receptor in the Anxiolytic-Relaxant Effects of Bergamot Essential Oil in Rodent

Laura Rombolà,
Damiana Scuteri,
Chizuko Watanabe,
Shinobu Sakurada,
Kengo Hamamura,
Tsukasa Sakurada,
Paolo Tonin,
Maria Tiziana Corasaniti,
Giacinto Bagetta,
Luigi Antonio Morrone

Affiliations

Laura Rombolà: Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Damiana Scuteri: Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Chizuko Watanabe: Department of Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan
Shinobu Sakurada: Department of Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan
Kengo Hamamura: Daiichi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences—First Department of Pharmacology Fukuoka, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan
Tsukasa Sakurada: Daiichi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences—First Department of Pharmacology Fukuoka, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan
Paolo Tonin: Regional Center for Serious Brain Injuries, S. Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
Maria Tiziana Corasaniti: Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Giacinto Bagetta: Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
Luigi Antonio Morrone: Preclinical and Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Health Science and Nutrition, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072597
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 21, no. 7
p. 2597

Abstract

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The essential oil obtained by the fresh fruit of Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau is used worldwide in aromatherapy to reduce pain, facilitate sleep induction, and/or minimize the effects of stress-induced anxiety. Preclinical pharmacological data demonstrate that bergamot essential oil (BEO) modulates specific neurotransmissions and shows an anxiolytic-relaxant effect not superimposable to that of the benzodiazepine diazepam, suggesting that neurotransmissions, other than GABAergic, could be involved. Several studies on essential oils indicate a role for serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission in anxiety. Interestingly, among serotonergic receptors, the 5-HT1A subtype seems to play a key role in the control of anxiety. Here, we report that modulation of the 5-HT1A receptor by selective agonist ((±)8-OH-DPAT) or antagonist (WAY-100635) may influence some of the anxiolytic-relaxant effects of BEO in Open Field and Elevated Plus Maze tests.

Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

ISSN: 1661-6596 (Print); 1422-0067 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General); Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms

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