The potential of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil as an anti-anxiety agent-is the citronellal the activity carrier?

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Among the fewest drugs discovered are those belonging to the class of anxio-lytics. Although some drug targets for anxiety disorders are established, it is hard to modify and selectively choose the active principle for those targets. Thus, the ethnomedical approach to treating anxiety disorders remains one of the most prevalent ways for (self)managing the symptoms. Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) has been extensively used as an ethnomedicinal remedy for the treatment of different psyche-related symptoms, especially dose related to restlessness. Aim of the study: This work aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic activity, in several in vivo models, of the essential oil extracted from Melissa officinalis (MO) and its main constituent citronellal, a widespread plant utilized for managing anxiety.Materials and methods: In the present study several animal models were used to assess MO anxiolytic potential in mice. The effect of the MO essential oil applied in doses ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg/kg was estimated in light/ dark, hole board, and marble burying tests. In parallel doses of citronellal corresponding to the ones in the MO essential oil were applied to animals to determine if this is the activity carrier.Results: The results indicate that the MO essential oil exerts anxiolytic potential in all three experimental settings by significantly altering the traced parameters. The effects of citronellal are somewhat inconclusive and should not be interpreted only as anxiolytic but rather as a combination of anti-anxiety and motor-inhibiting effects.Conclusions: In conclusion, we could say that the results of the present study provide a base for future mechanistic studies that would evaluate the activity of M. officinalis essential oil on various neurotransmitter systems involved in the generation, propagation, and maintenance of anxiety.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the anxiolytic activity of lemon balm essential oil on anxiety. The results show that lemon balm essential oil has anti-anxiety potential in different experimental settings and can affect multiple neurotransmitter systems. This provides a basis for future mechanistic studies.