Acute effects of essential oil blend containing phlai oil on mood among healthy male volunteers: Randomized controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundEssential oil blend (ESOB) containing Zingiber montanum or Phlai and Zingiber tenuiscapus oils as the major components has high levels of terpenes such as sabinene, terpinene, terpinolene, and terpine-4-ol. Phlai is well known for its analgesic property, but its effects on mood remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of inhaling the ESOB containing phlai essential oils on mood and stress among healthy volunteers.MethodsA prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial pilot study was conducted among 38 healthy male volunteers; 19 in the ESOB containing phlai oil group and 19 in the control group, which used olive oil. One single inhalation was provided continuously for 15 min via hot steam. Mood status was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Visual Analog Scales for Mood, Anxiety, Stress and Alertness (MASA). Rorschach tests, in a modified analysis, were also employed. One-way ANCOVA was used to determine statistical differences of the mood test results between ESOB containing phlai oil and olive oil.ResultsMean age of the participants was 22.11 (SD 2.1) years. Both ESOB containing phlai oil and olive oil increased the post-test scores of positive mood and reduced the scores of negative mood. However, no difference was observed regarding the mood test scores between groups, except concerning the Rorschach stress test (F (1,38)=6.486, p=0.015). The variance of change, explained by the model (R square), was 32.8%, while the adjusted R-squared was 0.290.ConclusionsSingle inhalation aromatherapy using ESOB containing phlai oil or olive oil showed an immediate improvement of mood states among healthy young male volunteers by easing the negative emotions and enhancing positive emotions, especially feelings of pleasure and contentment. Natural blend of phlai essential oils was more efficacious than olive oil in reducing emotional stress.

Download Full-text

Safety and Tolerance of Intravenous Nimodipine

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1177/106002809402801001 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 1143-1148 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

John J. Sramek ◽

Allen H. Heller ◽

Pavur R. Sundaresan ◽

John Lettieri ◽

Suzanne Sawin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Normal Population ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Fixed Dose ◽

Healthy Male ◽

Peripheral Vein ◽

Double Blind ◽

Healthy Male Volunteers ◽

Male Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and tolerance of intravenous nimodipine administered via a peripheral vein in healthy male volunteers. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo- and vehicle-controlled trial with three fixed-dose panels. SETTING: Inpatient infusion and observation periods. SUBJECTS: 61 healthy male volunteers, aged 18–40 years. METHODS: Subjects in panel 1 received nimodipine 0.4 mg/h, vehicle 2 mL/h, or placebo 2 mL/h; subjects in panel 2 received nimodipine 1 mg/h, vehicle 5 mL/h, or placebo 5 mL/h; subjects in panel 3 received nimodipine 2 mg/h, vehicle 10 mL/h, or placebo 10 mL/h. All infusions were administered intravenously for 48 hours and volunteers were observed for 48 hours after cessation of the infusion. In addition to standard safety assessments (physical examination, electrocardiogram, laboratory studies, and adverse event reporting), supine and standing blood pressures and pulse rates were measured frequently. Plasma samples were also analyzed for nimodipine and its two demethylated metabolites. RESULTS: Of 61 subjects, 55 completed the 48-hour infusion and 6 discontinued the study because of adverse events. Intravenous nimodipine was well tolerated at 0.4 and 1 mg/h. However, all six subjects who received nimodipine 2 mg/h experienced moderate-to-severe adverse events, and one subject was discontinued because of dizziness, diaphoresis, and postural hypotension. The matched vehicle (10 mL/h) also was not well tolerated, with three subjects who discontinued because of phlebitis. Two subjects who received placebo were also discontinued during the study. Small (2 mm Hg) decreases in mean supine diastolic blood pressure were observed in the 0.4- and 1-mg/h nimodipine groups, but the 2-mg/h group showed a slight (5 mm Hg) increase in blood pressure. These changes were not clinically significant. Clearance and half-life of nimodipine and its metabolites were similar at all three dosages. CONCLUSIONS: Using peripheral vein administration, nimodipine 2 mg/h and matched vehicle at 10 mL/h were not well tolerated in this healthy normal population. The maximum tolerated dose of nimodipine was found to be 1 mg/h.

Download Full-text