Sedative, anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of inhalation of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. from Cameroon in mice

In this study, the behavioral effects of inhalation of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum from Cameroon were investigated. The open field test, light/dark box test, tail suspension test and Rota-rod test were used to assess the sedative, anxiolytic-like, antidepressant-like and motor coordination effects respectively, in mice. GC and GC/MS analyses were performed to investigate the chemical composition of O. gratissimum essential oil. Phytochemical analysis revealed thymol (68%) as main compound of O. gratissimum essential oil. Inhalation of O. gratissimum essential oil showed potent sedative, anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in mice, and did not cause any deleterious effects on motor coordination. It is suggested that a synergistic effect of the constituents of O. gratissimum essential oil might account for its sedative activity. In conclusion, inhalation of O. gratissimum essential oil might have aromatherapeutic potential.