No description available.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioural effects of inhaled bergamot, geranium and a combination of these oils in three novelty evoked tests of anxiety. Sixty adult Hooded Rats (Rattus norvegicus), with 10 rats randomly assigned to one of the 6 test groups; three essential oil treated groups, and three control groups. The essential oil groups consisted of bergamot, geranium and a combined group, i.e. the combination of bergamot and geranium oil. The control groups consisted of the odour and vehicle control, with the anxiolytic drug diazepam as a positive control. The behaviour of rats was assessed on the elevate-plus maze, open-field and social interaction test. Diazepam increased open arm entries and the time spent in the open arms, decreased time spent in closed arms and increased the number of head-dips and unprotected stretch-attends in the EPM. In the open-field diazepam increased immobility time, decreased ambulation, increased grooming activity and reduced the amount of time spent exploring the arena. Similarly, diazepam decreased the frequency of separations, sniffs, follows, crawls, passive and active interactions with test partners in the social interaction test. Bergamot, geranium and the combination of the two oils increased total arm entries in the elevated-plus maze. Bergamot increased locomotion and exploratory behaviour in open-field and decreased contact latency and increased passive and active interaction between the rat pairs in the social interaction test. Geranium decrease immobility and increase the time spent rearing in the open-field and also increased active interaction, i.e. partner sniffing and decreased the amount of time the rat pairs spent apart in the social interaction test. The combination of bergamot and geranium oil increased locomotion and the time spent in Zone2, and also increased exploratory behaviour, i.e. the frequency and duration of rears in the open-field. In the social interaction test, contact latency was shortened and active and passive interactions between rat pairs were increased by the combination of essential oils. The present study established that bergamot, geranium, and the combination of the two oils had a stimulating effect in the elevated-plus maze and an anxiolytic effect in the open-field and social interaction tests when inhaled. Furthermore the study also demonstrated that the combining of the oils had a potentiating effect on the anxiolytic properties of the single oils.

Abstract Aims: Due to the emergence of multi-drug resistance, alternatives to conventional antimicrobial therapy are needed. This study aims to investigate the in vitro pharmacological interactions between essential oils (considered valuable as natural therapeutic treatments) and conventional antimicrobials (ciprofloxacin ⁄ amphotericin B) when used in combination. Methods and Results: Interactions of the essential oils (Melaleuca alternifolia, Thymus vulgaris, Mentha piperita and Rosmarinus officinalis) when combined with ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus indicate mainly antagonistic profiles. When tested against Klebsiella pneumoniae the isobolograms show antagonistic, synergistic and additive interactions depending on the combined ratio. The R. officinalis ⁄ ciprofloxacin combination against K. pneumoniae displayed the most favourable synergistic pattern. The interactions of M. alternifolia (tea tree), T. vulgaris (thyme), M. piperita (peppermint) and R. officinalis (rosemary) essential oils with amphotericin B indicate mainly antagonistic profiles when tested against Candida albicans. Conclusion: While a number of interactions show complete antagonism, others show varied (synergistic, additive and ⁄ or antagonistic) interactions, thus the efficacy is dependent on the ratio in which the two components co-exist. Significance and Impact of the Study: The predominant antagonistic interactions noted here, suggests that some natural therapies containing essential oils should be used with caution when combined with antibiotics.

No description available.

No description available.

Graduation date: 1978

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 1918. / Biography.

Promotionsarbeit--Techn. hochschule, Zürich. / Lebenslauf. Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract The genus Pteronia consists of approximately 80 species which are widely distributed in southern Africa. For hundreds of years the indigenous people of southern Africa have turned to the earth in order to provide healing for their people. The genus Pteronia has been amongst the first species to be used by the San and Khoi-San people for treating infections and stomach ailments. Ten species were selected for the purpose of this report. The essential oils were isolated by using a Clevenger-type apparatus while the non-volatiles were extracted with acetone and methanol. The essential oils and extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activity. The disc diffusion assays included three Gram-negative bacteria; Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica and Klebsiella pneumoniae, three Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus as well as one yeast; Candida albicans. Results indicated that the species were primarily active against Gram-positive organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the ten most active species (essential oils and extracts) were determined using the microdilution method. The most promising activity was noted for P. fasiculata which had a MIC of 0.22 mg/ml against S. aureus, 0.39 mg/ml against B. cereus and 2.08 mg/ml against B. subtilis. The essential oils analysis by GC/MS revealed two chemotypes. In Pteronia pallens, P. empetrifolia and P. flexicaulis rare compounds, such as presilphiperfolol-7-ene, 7-α-(H)-silphiperfol-5-ene, 7-β-(H)-silphiperfol-5-ene, α-campholene aldehyde, silphiperfol-5-ene, camaroonan-7-α-ol, silphiperfol-7- β -ol, presilphiperfolan-9- α -ol and presilphiperfolan-8-ol (a major compound in Pteronia pallens) were recorded. A cluster analysis of the essential oil data indicated that individual collections of P. camphorata within a population were tightly clustered. Similarly, P. pallens sampled from three different localities were also united in the cluster analysis. These results suggest minimal within and between population variations for some of the species studied.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.120-131).