Lavandula angustifolia essential oil inhalation reduces mechanical hyperalgesia in a model of inflammatory and neuropathic pain: The involvement of opioid and cannabinoid receptors

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Mar 15:340:577145. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577145. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Abstract

Lavandula angustifolia (LaEO) essential oil has been widely used by aromatherapy in the treatment of various clinical conditions, with evidence of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. Our results demonstrate that sixty-five substances were identified in LaEO. Among the compounds found, the major ones were linalool (30.61%) and linalyl acetate (20.36%). We found that LaEO inhalation reduces mechanical hyperalgesia in conditions of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Furthermore, this effect seems to be mediated by peripheral and central opioid and cannabinoid 2 receptors. The findings of the present study suggests that the LaEO inhalation is effective on the chronic pain treatment.

Keywords: Aromatherapy; Cannabinoid system; Inflammatory pain; Neuropathic pain; Opioid system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Hyperalgesia* / metabolism
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Lavandula
  • Mice
  • Neuralgia / metabolism
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Opioid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Extracts
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Opioid